Passengers board a JUTC bus in this file photo taken in Kingston. - File

Ryan White, former chief executive officer of Issa Transport Group, has switched to the public sector as president of the state-owned bus service, Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC).

White assumed office on February 1, succeeding Patrick McIntosh who ran the loss-making bus company for three years, since 2004.

Its losses for 2006 were projected at $173 million on revenues of $3.45 billion, an improvement on the $504 million it haemorrhaged in 2005.

The JUTC which employed 2,743 persons up to its last financial year ending 2006, is a licensed public passenger transport service within the Kingston Metropolitan Transit Area (KMTR). This service is done through express and stage carriage.

Its estimated 85 million passenger load last year, was a 12 per cent improvement on the 76 million fares it recorded in 2005.

JUTC also offers islandwide charter services and, through a contracted provider, bus billboard advertising. It is also owner of Jamaica Ultimate Tyre Company whose operating revenues top $126 million, according to figures published by the Finance Ministry.

White, who was educated at the University of Miami and has played filed hockey for 15 years, brings to the new job his nine years experience at Issa Transport Group.

He was once managing director of Facey Commodity Limited during 1979 to 1994. He is a past chairman of Jamaica German Automotive School (JAGAS) and former vice chair of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.

His challenge at JUTC will include wringing revenues from a fleet in need of refurbishing, and competition from small operators and route taxis.

susan.gordon@gleanerjm.com