JUTC gets 100 new buses
Published:Wednesday | August 27, 2008 | 10:25 AM
100 new Volvo buses are to be added to the Jamaica Urban Transit Corporation’s (JUTC) fleet in time for the start of the new school year.
The National Contracts Committee has already given the green light for the purchase of the buses from the Belgian firm VDL Jonckheere Bus and Coach at a cost of just more than $3 billion.
The money is being provided by a Belgian financial institution with one third of the loan being interest free.
The rest will attract an interest of 5.24 percent.
Transport and works Minister, Mike Henry had disclosed intentions to purchase double decker buses similar to those used in London, England.
He had hinted that the double decker buses could be in the island by year end.
An official of the ministry said it could take up to nine months before the supplier, British-based bus manufacturer Alexander-Dennis, sends the sample to Jamaica.
According to the ministry official, the supplier is now trying to outfit a bus based on Jamaica’s specification and that unit will be shipped to the island as soon as it is ready.