THE DEPLETED fleet of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is poised to get a much-needed boost of buses in time for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007.
Senator Colin Campbell, Minister of Information and Development, made the disclosure recently while speaking at a press briefing at the offices of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).
At that time, the Information Minister singled out the transportation sector as one of the areas where improvements would be fast-tracked prior to the event next year.
"Some of the buses in the current JUTC fleet that are up for retirement, will be retired and new buses put in the fleet in time for the event," he revealed.
Senator Campbell pointed out that the boosting of JUTC's fleet would not be reflected in the cricket budget.
IN NEED OF BUSES
Gwyneth Davidson, communication, marketing and public relations manager at JUTC, confirmed that the bus company was in need of buses.
She revealed that, with several purchases since its inception in 1998, the state-owned bus company once boasted a fleet of 700 buses.
However, the company's last annual report dated 2003/2004, showed that 617 buses were in working condition. Currently, that figure has been reduced by almost 200 buses.
"Now we have about 420 buses that are rolled out everyday in the business week," she said.
