Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) prepares for long haul

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) says it could resume full operations today.

"Our services are fully operational with some understandable exceptions," Reginald Allen, corporate communications manager of the JUTC, told The Gleaner yesterday.

Tropical Storm Nicole, which evolved from tropical depression 16, dumped more rain on Jamaica for the past two days, forcing the state-owned bus company to withdraw service from some areas.

Allen said the JUTC has been experiencing major problems with routes 53 (Half-Way Tree to Temple Hall) and 54 (Half-Way Tree to Golden Spring, and then on to Border).

"Some of the areas on these routes have been completely cut off from access, and there have been breakaways on both routes," Allen said.

Up to press time yesterday, route 61, which plies the Gordon Town to downtown Kingston route, remained a no-go and the buses could not go further than Papine due to several breakaways and build-ups of mud and silt on the Gordon Town Road.

However, Allen said the JUTC is anticipating that the National Works Agency will reinstate Harbour View ford by the latest this morning.

"Hopefully, by this evening (yesterday), the ford should be back," Allen said with optimism.

Should there by any delays, however, the JUTC has prepared a backup plan to facilitate commuting between the parishes of St Andrew and St Thomas.

"We're preparing for the long haul," Allen declared as he outlined Plan B.

The JUTC would facilitate a convoy of six buses to travel to St Thomas via the Junction main road through St Mary and around Portland.

"It's not very safe but a mechanical team would travel with the contingent of buses to ensure safety," Allen said.

Lightning safety tips

Stay indoors, and do not venture outside unless it is necessary.

Turn off electric breakers and disconnect appliances. Lightning is electricity and will follow electrical circuits.

Avoid touching electrical plugs, refrigerators, television sets, electric razors and electric hair dryers.

Avoid metal objects such as stoves, water pipes and sinks.

Do not use the telephone during a lightning storm as lightning may strike the lines outside.

Do not lie flat on the ground as electrical currents can travel along the ground surface.

Do not take laundry off the clothes line.

Persons struck by lightning may receive a severe electrical shock and may be burned but they carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely.

ODPEM EMERGENCY NUMBERS

National office: 906-9674/5, 754-9078/9,754-3229

Kingston and St Andrew: 967-3329, 967-3229

CLARENDON: 986-2216, 986-9538

HANOVER: 956-2236, 956-2958

MANCHESTER: 962-2278/9 962-0611

PORTLAND: 993-2665, 993-3188

ST ANN: 972-2615 ,972-2617

ST CATHERINE: 984-3111/2, 984-2428

ST ELIZABETH: 965-2256, 965-2776

ST JAMES: 952-5500/2, 952-4066

ST MARY: 994-2212, 994-9381

ST THOMAS: 982-9449, 982-2513

TRELAWNY: 954-3228, 954-5592

WESTMORELAND: 955-2655, 955-2797