JUTC moves to set up mini depots on north coast

The state-led Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) plans to set up seven mini depots across the island as part of steps to add new routes, mainly along the north coast.

The move would increase commuters' options in a market currently served by base-priced Coaster bus operators at one end and the higher-tier Knutsford Express — which serves some 22 routes islandwide — at the other.

The JUTC mainly operates within the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR) but has expanded to select towns in recent years.

On the weekend, the JUTC issued an expression of interest (EOI) calling for proposals to provide "islandwide basing infrastructure to support its expanding public transportation operations". The seven target areas are Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth; Negril, Westmoreland; Discovery Bay, St Ann; Albert Town, St Ann; Christiana, Manchester; Port Antonio, Portland; May Pen, Clarendon; and Wheelerfield, St Thomas.

Mini depots are planned for the seven locations, but only two— May Pen and Negril — have operational routes currently listed on the JUTC website. 

"This initiative forms part of JUTC's strategic objective to improve service reliability, enhance fleet management, and expand operations beyond the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region," the advertisement read. Interested parties are invited to propose "mini depot facilities capable of supporting bus parking and dispatching, general maintenance operations and staff accommodation and administrative functions".

Proposals are expected to cover design, development and/or leasing. The EOI is open to property developers, landowners, infrastructure providers, engineering and construction firms, and consortia with relevant experience. Interested parties must submit, among other things, a conceptual depot design and proposed rental rate. The advertisement gave no timeline for submissions and noted that the EOI was not a request for proposals.

The push for islandwide expansion has been on JUTC's agenda for years, though the company continues to post heavy losses. Public Bodies Estimates show the state-owned carrier will record a $14.8 billion operating loss for the 2026-27 financial year, with the Government providing a grant of over $11.1 billion to shore up the cash-strapped entity.

In March last year, Daryl Vaz, then minister of science, energy, telecommunications and transport, disclosed that the company was targeting expansion into areas such as Catherine Estates between Portmore and Spanish Town, Mandeville to May Pen, and Montego Bay to Lucea and Negril. He said $10.7 billion had been allocated for the 2025-26 fiscal year, with about $3 billion earmarked for new buses.

Last October, the JUTC added rural express routes to Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril, Mandeville and May Pen, with plans to extend to Port Antonio. It subsequently reduced frequency on its Ocho Rios service following a request from public passenger vehicle operators.

The JUTC currently operates more than 70 routes within the KMTR. It operates from the Half-Way Tree Transportation Centre, depots at Twickenham Park, Portmore, in St Catherine and Rockfort in Kingston, and a central maintenance workshop at Ashenheim Road, Kingston.

luke.douglas@gleanerjm.com