NEW BUSES HANDED OVER TO JUTC

Some of the new buses which were handed over to the JUTC.

Twenty-nine new buses were handed over to the JUTC at a ceremony at the Lady Musgrave Parking Lot on Friday, March 9, 2007.

Making the presentation to Minister Pickersgill was Mr. Rennie Wellington, Managing Director of the JR Group of Companies which was responsible for bringing the buses into the island. Minister Pickersgill accepted and then presented the keys to Mr. Ryan White, the new President of the JUTC.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Minister Pixckersgill said, " I am very pleased to be associated with this 'shot in the arm' of the transport industry, particularly as it relates to the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR) ." He sounded the confidence of the Ministry in saying that the buses will make a real difference in the ridership of the JUTC.

The new buses consist of seven Volvo Mistral (regular premium); three Volvo Mistral with onboard lavatory and nineteen MAN buses. All the buses were handed over in time for the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup. The buses meet the highest standards of the transit industry. The superstructure and side panels of these buses are of the best quality European stainless steel which makes the buses rust resistant. The vehicles are also environmentally friendly and fit in quite well with the government's thrust at environmental preservation.

The engines of the Volvos are Euro 4 rated. These engines have the least greenhouse gas emissions of any bus engines. The emissions are burnt several times before being emitted through the exhaust pipe.

In addition to the new buses, others were refurbished in time for the first Sabina Park match. Among those were: 28 regular; 3 with wheelchair access and 1 articulated bus.

In closing, Minister Pickersgill said, " As we hand over these buses to the JUTC, I invite us all to make a pledge to continue doing our part in ensuring that we receive maximum service from them."