A memorandum of understanding between the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) and the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is expected to save local top-flight clubs an estimated $3.2 million in transportation costs for the rest of the season.

The agreement, which was officially signed off at the PLCA headquarters yesterday, entails players being transported to and from game venues on various matchdays and has actually been under way since late last month.

In return, the urban transit company is expected to benefit from various advertising and marketing plans surrounding the Digicel Premier League.

"The response has been good so far, especially from the players who won't be as tired or as hassled on matchdays as they can travel in comfort," explained PLCA chairman, Edward Seaga.

"This is an unusual sort of partnership. It has been two years in the making and is expected to ease of lot of the burdens from the point of view of the clubs in that regard."

Chairman of the JUTC, Robin Levy, expressed satisfaction with the company being involved in the local sport and looked toward a mutually beneficial partnership.

"On behalf of the JUTC, we are pleased to be on-board with the PLCA as we believe that sport is a crucial part of nation building," he said. "There was obviously a particular need and we were glad to be able to step in and fill that need."

The contract, which came into effect on December 28, will run to May 30, the end of the season, at which point a decision will be reached regarding its renewal.

- Kwesi Mugisa