Frequent bus attacks costing JUTC heavily

Erica Virtue, Staff Reporter

Within the last three months, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses have been attacked more than 60 times, incurring millions of dollars in damages.

Since it began operations on New Year's Day 1999, four JUTC employees have been killed and several others injured.

Errol Lee, public relations and marketing executive of the company, said that not all the figures are available, but there was an average of 20 attacks per month on buses.

The JUTC was set up to ease the pressure on the public transportation sector, but has often found itself entangled in a web of controversy involving its personnel and members of volatile communities.

The buses have been attacked in Maverly, Seaview Gardens, Mountain View and even along the Washington Boulevard.

Responding to questions from The Sunday Gleaner, he said, "In July there were 22 attacks on 22 different buses. In August it was the same and in September it was 19. That is a total of 63 attacks which is an average of 20 per month."

According to him, "the total cost of the damage to buses for that period is $8.7 million," and he explained that the majority of the damage results from "stoning, which invariably damages windscreens. These have to be replaced," he said, adding "that they are not cheap."

He said one bus was fire-bombed recently, and although it was extensively damaged "it was reparable."

The company which is not yet making a profit has managed to bounce back after each blow. In May this year, the depot in Spanish Town was gutted by fire and damages were put at $200 million. Two buses worth $8 million, a fork-lift, and a number of bus tyres and spare parts were destroyed. In spite of the attacks, drivers and conductors remain motivated, says Mr. Lee. "Worker morale is high. It is unbelievable that they could be this committed even though they have been attacked so often," he said.

Mr. Lee also stated that the workers understand that the attacks were not coming from the vast majority of individuals who use the service. He further explained that in many instances, stoning attacks occurred because individuals refused to pay their bus fares.

The company has been under increased attacks by robbers on some routes in the Corporate Area during the last two years, although the service has received high praise from passengers who use it.

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