Gloria Bynoe (centre), waves goodbye while Knutsford Express driver Mr. Jermaine Bailey (left), assists Herma Wihittaker as she boards the bus and Kevin Henry (right), secures the passengers' luggage.

Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Montego Bay, for the weary Kingstonian, is synonymous with relaxing on soft white sand while enjoying a glass of pia colada, garnished with pineapple and a sweet cherry on top. You might want to go there this weekend, but the thought of driving down, dodging traffic, not to mention the journey, complemented by winding roads, is unappealing. But there is good news. Now, there is an easier way to get to your favourite north coast beach.

Knutsford Express provides a comfortable and effortless way to travel between Montego Bay and Kingston. Recently, Lifestyle learnt about the bus service and took a test ride for you.

At 5:30 a.m. the reporter arrived at the Express' Kingston office on Haining Road and purchased a return ticket for $2,800. At 5:45 a.m., passengers began boarding. At 5:50 a.m., the driver, Jermaine Bailey, introduced himself and offered bottled water and a newspaper to each passenger. He assured the passengers of a safe journey, noting that it would take approximately three and a half hours with one restroom stop in Ocho Rios.

At exactly 6:00 a.m. the bus left. On board were: returning residents, university students going home for mid- term, tourists and a few corporate executives. Along the way, Mr. Bailey put on music videos featuring artistes such as Celine Dion, Bryan Adams, Luther Vandross and others. The music set the tone for a comfortable ride to the country. Some passengers relaxed, reclined in their seats and went off to dreamland while others read, watched the videos attentively, chatted quietly or enjoyed the scenic countryside.

THE PASSENGERS

Sephline Gillings (front) is all set to go while Jeffrey Gillings settles in with his hand luggage before the bus departs.

Among the passengers was English-man, Kevin Stevenson. He was a six-time visitor to the island and said, "I love Jamaica and I was supposed to go back to England four weeks ago but here I am." He said that he did not like doing the usual tourist activities, so taking the bus and going to events like 'Passa Passa' were adventures for him. He said he was on his way down to visit some friends he had in Montego Bay but he chose to stay in Kingston as he just loves to party.

Also on the bus were the Gillings, returning residents from the United Kingdom and they were just a bundle of joy. They chatted quietly to each other, never once taking a snooze but just enjoying the view. The Gillings said they learnt of the bus service through their travel agent. On the other hand, Bryan Reid, a local who has been on one of the trips before, said it beats traveling on a coaster. Plus, it is a more comfortable ride, he said.

Chris Jarrett is a hotel owner in the second city so he travels down every week on the bus while Patrina Marshall,a Jamaican living in New York, said that the bus ride is very convenient and much cheaper than flying down. She said she was told of the service and is quiet pleased with it.

Throughout the journey, Lifestyle saw evidence of road construction, but the dust and other debris were not a bother as we were in air-conditioned comfort. As we journeyed through the picturesque gully, the rain drizzled a bit, adding such sparkle to the ferns and looking absolutely glorious.

In Ocho Rios, the group took a five-minute rest. At exactly 8:05 a.m., it was off again, but five minutes down the road we realised someone was missing. Bailey turned back to retrieve him. Like bad karma, a motorist cut straight across the road in front of the bus. Mr. Bailey handled it very well and we escaped without a collision. We recovered the lost soul and went on our merry way. We had a little delay just five minutes from our final destination at Pier One Montego Bay because of an accident, but we managed to get in safely at 10:00 a.m.

History of Knutsford Express

Driver, Jermaine Bailey, makes final preparations before heading out to Montego Bay. Seated behind him is passenger Albert Frazer, relaxed and ready to take a ride in comfort. - photos by Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

The bus service was started last July by Oliver Townsend, proprietor of the company. Mr. Townsend said that the idea of the service existed long before it came into action. While pursuing his Masters degree in the '90s at the University of the West Indies, he had to travel back and forth from Montego Bay to Kingston every week. He realised then that there was a lack of choice and that a sophisticated travel option could exist in Jamaica. He decided from then that one day he would start a bus service that provided customers with luxurious and comfortable transportation between the two cities.

His drivers are specially trained in customer service, defensivedriving and advanced driving techniques. He pointed out that they have to be well- trained in these areas because each passenger is treated as a customer, and it is important that they will want to travel with Knutsford Express again. He said their clientele ranges from business people to students, relatives visiting each other to some tourists who heard about them even before coming to the island.

Meeting their needs is an important part of their service. As such, there are many new plans in store for the remainder of the year. Come July 1, the Kingston office will be moving location from 24 Haining Road to 18 Dominica Drive in New Kingston.

"At the new location we are planning on providing more beverages and snacks, and we are also working on the restroom stop in Ocho Rios to provide some form of snacks for customers," said Mr. Townsend.

To date, the bus leaves Kingston twice daily - at 6:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to get to Montego Bay. From Montego Bay to Kingston, the bus departs at 5:00 a.m. and 4:30p.m. But in July, there are plans to add a new time; Kingston to Montego Bay at 2:00 p.m and Montego Bay to Kingston at 9:00 a.m.

Also, Knutsford Express plans to begin a Mandeville to Kingston route this August, and very soon there will be a new bus that comes equipped with bathroom facilities on board.

Packages

Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest is coming from July 19 to 21 and the Knutsford Express is the official ground transportation provider. Mr. Townsend said there will be a special package that cost $2,500 round trip to and from the event.

Also, there are plans this summer to implement a package where individuals can take the Knutsford Express to Montego Bay, spend a day at Doctor's Cave beach and return to Kingston in the afternoon.