Passengers alight from a Jamaica Urban Transit bus in the Half-Way Tree bus park recently. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
PUBLIC SECTOR workers will, until the end of this week, be able to access prepaid 'Smart Cards' for discounted bus fare rates at three point of sale locations.
Those locations are the Ministry of Water and Housing at Dominica Drive, New Kingston, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) Spanish Town Lay-by, and the Ministry of Transport and Works on Maxfield Avenue.
In implementing a new fare structure, the JUTC has agreed to provide discounted fares for public sector workers until the end of the Memorandum of Understanding on March 31, 2006.
The programme offers rides to public sector workers at the discounted rate of $35, limited to two discounted trips per day, five days per week, giving a total of ten trips per week. This gives public sector workers under the programme a value of $500 for ten trips by paying only $350. The JUTC will absorb the $15 difference on every ride offered under the programme.
According to the JUTC, the discount offered can only be used with a Smart Card at Public Sector Smart Card locations. Discounts will not be offered on the bus with cash payments.
Public sector workers, the bus company says, will pay cash only at the discount locations for a minimum value of $350 covering 10 rides. Ministries and government agencies can make arrangements with the JUTC to make bulk payments for their employees.
The point of sale locations will be open between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. and an assessment will be made on whether they will be required to open for longer.
Other locations are being approved. After this week the locations will be opened on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The JUTC has, however, warned that public sector workers who abuse the system put their participation in the programme at risk.
| Period | Card | Payment | Discount | Discounted |
| Value | Value | | Rides |
| 1 Week | $500 | $350 | $150 | 10 rides |
| 2 Weeks | $1,000 | $700 | $300 | 20 rides |
| 3 Weeks | $1,500 | $1,050 | $450 | 30 rides |
| 4 Weeks | $2,000 | $1,400 | $600 | 40 rides |
