Need a charter? Call Jamaica Urban Transit Company

Keisha Hill, Gleaner Writer

Chartering a Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus is the perfect way to take any group around the Kingston Metropolitan Transportation Region (KMTR) and to various rural areas with ease.

The JUTC was designed to be a safe, modern and reliable system of transport, efficiently operated at a reasonable cost to commuters.

It is relatively easy to charter a JUTC bus. According to Clinton Clarke, communications manager, the bus company utilises the buses to take groups of all sizes to events at reasonable costs.

"Our corporate office has charter agents and the customer can call us. These agents take the necessary information and continue with the transaction until it is completed.

"Our charter service is available right across the island, as long as the buses can manoeuvre the roads," Clarke said.

JUTC buses seat 37-57 passengers and some are specially fitted with wheelchair accommodation. A public-address system is available on the air-conditioned Premium Express Luxury buses which seat 53-57 passengers.

Calculations of charter rates are based on the time the bus leaves the JUTC depot, until returns For rural charters, it is the distance from Kingston. The Premium Express luxury buses attract a 15 per cent charge above regular rates.

air conditioned

"Our buses are air-conditioned and we generally have cushioned seats. Some have reclining seats. They are very clean and the ride is comfortable. We also have buses with lavatories, at an additional cost," Clarke said.

JUTC buses are available for charter seven days per week, however, charters, during peak periods are based on bus availability and cannot be guaranteed.

At least 24 hours notice should be given for the cancellation of a charter. Cancellations without a 24-hour notice will be charged a minimum of 15 per cent of the cost of the charter reservation.

According to Clarke, many persons are not aware of the charter service that the JUTC offers and, as a result, they are in the process of developing and structuring a public-awareness campaign.

Betty Thompson, sales consultant, Minott Equipment and Chemicals, recently utilised the services of the JUTC for a group trip to Montego Bay. She praised the efficiency of the staff and hailed the professionalism of the drivers.

"They were very accommodating to us and we appreciated the time and effort that they gave to us during our business transaction and while we were on the trip," Thompson said.

The charter service earns in excess of $100 million per year. It costs an average $18,000, per round trip, to pick-up passengers from any church in the Half-Way Tree area, to Dovecot, St Catherine.

For more information on the JUTC Charter Service call: 876-749-0474 OR 876-749-3192-9 ext. 286 or 253 and ask for the Marketing and Sales Department for more information or to schedule a trip.keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com