JPSCo on spot with regularisation drive

Sheldon Williams, Gleaner Writer

Today, Automotives starts a series on mobile offices, where companies take the full range of their services - or, at least, enough to engage customers in a transaction - to the public. First, we take a look at the Jamaica Public Service Company's (JPSCo) mobile unit.

In 2012, the JPSCo's mobile office boosted its customer service significantly. A 40-foot container has been extensively modified, complete with windows and a door, and enhanced with JPSCo branding.

Audrey Williams, corporate communications officer at JPSCo, said the unit was introduced during the company's intensive drive to regularise persons on the company's network last year. This was during a high point of the company's removal of illegal connections.

Williams explained that the unit is "connected to a truck head, as it doesn't have motorised capability on its own. It is practically an office that is pulled".

She said the mobile office compares well to those in a building. "It has most of the amenities of the office, including Internet connection. At least five customers can be served in the mobile unit at any given time, or an average of 100 customers per day," Williams pointed out.

No cash

However, Williams was quick to point out that the unit operates a cashless system. "We do not carry or facilitate cash transactions," she said.

Not all members of staff can operate from the JPSCo mobile unit. "It's managed by specific staff who can assign it to different areas of the company based on requests. It has been used mainly by customer service representatives who work on regularisation projects," Williams said.

While the unit was designed to travel islandwide, it has not yet gone outside of urban St Andrew. "So far, we have only used it at the National Stadium. JPSCo decides on which communities to visit based on the area that a customer electricity regularisation project is being carried out," Williams said.

Operation and maintenanc

Running the unit incurs costs apart from pulling it to an from its destination. "We have to fill the tank with water and pay to withdraw sewage, and provide electricity for the unit. Once the location is identified, we have to receive approval from the Government's electrical inspector before connecting to the JPS system. It can also be powered by a generator," Williams said.

The public's feedback has been positive. However, the unit is now at JPSCo's Ruthven Road, New Kingston office with no timeline for when it will hit the road again.