THE JAMAICA Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has recorded a 13 per cent decline in passenger trips but has managed to garner a 25 per cent increase in revenue for the first quarter of 2004.
"Even though passenger trips declined fare income increased to $588 million, which is a 25.2 per cent increase from 2003," said Everton McFarlane, manager for economic research and modelling, at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).
The data was tabulated by the PIOJ and was officially presented by its director-general Dr. Wesley Hughes earlier this week.
The PIOJ's review partly attributed the reduction in rides on JUTC buses to the increase in bus fares which took effect in August last year. The hike in fares saw adults travelling in Zone 1 - the Corporate Area of Kingston and St. Andrew - paying $30, up from the previous $20. Those who commute in Zone 2, which covers the municipality of Portmore and communities in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, paid $40, up from $30.
The concessionary fare for children, students in uniform, senior citizens and the disabled moved from $10 to $15.
However, Mr. McFarlane emphasised that the PIOJ was indicating that last year's hike in fares was solely responsible for the decline in passenger travel. "We are conjecturing that one of the factors that has impacted on the decline is the increase in transportation cost that would have resulted from the increase in bus fares," explained Mr. McFarlane.
