KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government, indicating that it is “very serious about its environmental commitments,” says it is moving quickly to incorporate new, cleaner technologies into the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) fleet, eventually replacing the existing combustion engine units.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, speaking at the unveiling of the JUTC’s first electric-powered unit, said the objective is to reduce the company’s carbon footprint and improve its bottom line.
“The government is very serious about its environmental commitments, its climate change commitment, but even more so… the fiscal commitments, to ensure that an entity like the JUTC does not become a fiscal risk or threat to the Government,” Holness said.
The bus, which will be tested under a six-month pilot program, can accommodate members of the disabled community as well as parents traveling with a stroller, and Holness said the six-month testing period would allow the JUTC to gather empirical data, which will determine the way forward, as it relates to introducing other vehicles.
“We will get a better understanding of the changes that will have to be made to the design and specifications. So, all in all, I am thrilled we have reached this point. The Government has made an allocation. We have five more buses coming in, and those, of course, will go through the rigorous testing process,” he said.
Holness noted that the JUTC’s fleet of vehicles is already being diversified with the introduction of buses that use liquefied natural gas (LNG).
“We started that a few years ago… and that testing is ongoing, and I believe we are acquiring more of those buses.
“Now we are moving to electric buses, which offer a great deal in terms of advantages, clearly the environmental advantage; no emissions whatsoever,” he said, adding that the electric buses also provide more excellent fuel management.
“So, issues to do with fuel theft and non-productive use of engine time, meaning engines are on idling in traffic, burning fuel, which is not moving passengers… adds to the cost. The maintenance on these would be much lower,” he said.
Transport and Mining Minister, Audley Shaw, said that 45 diesel units would be arriving next month in addition to the five electric buses to boost the diversification program.
JUTC managing director, Paul Abrahams, said the electric bus piloted by the JUTC is equipped with tracking features such as real-time data collection.
“We have dash cams on board that look on the drivers to see what they are doing. The bus can tilt,” he said, adding that it is fully computerized.
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