JUTC braces for possible disruptions, drivers contemplate protest

There could be another round of disruptions today for commuters to and from Portmore, St Catherine, as drivers of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) have signaled that they plan to again withdraw their services.



For several hours on Saturday, drivers parked their buses to protest the arrest of two of their colleagues.



It is reported that the drivers were accosted by the police for allegedly pocketing bus fares.



Last night JUTC drivers in Portmore, who spoke to our news centre on condition of anonymity, said they remain upset over what they claim was the unfair treatment meted out to the two drivers on Saturday.



However, the Communication Manager at the JUTC, Clinton Clarke, is urging the drivers in Portmore to stay on the job.



At the same time, Clarke says the JUTC will put measures in place in anticipation of a disruption to service.



However, Clarke stresses that the JUTC will be resolute in its fight against those who seek to deprive the bus company of revenue.



The JUTC has said that it loses an estimated five per cent or $550,000 of daily revenue to fraud.



The company's daily revenue is approximately $11 million but it racks up $250 million in losses annually.



In August, the JUTC established a Franchise Protection and Inspection Unit to cleanse the State-owned company of fraud and other sources of revenue leakage.



Last month, 10 drivers and mechanics were arrested and charged for their involvement in schemes to defraud the bus company.



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