JUTC Offers $1 Million Reward for Information on Suspected Arsonist

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has announced a $1 million reward for information that could lead to the identification of a suspect in the arson of a bus. The incident occurred on May 30 at the Spanish Town lay-by in St. Catherine, resulting in the complete destruction of a Yutong compressed natural gas (CNG) bus valued at US$200,000.

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We believe the public has a very important role in helping us to resolve a matter that not only affects the JUTC but the safety and security of the commuting public.

During a press conference on June 22, the JUTC released surveillance footage depicting a man setting fire to an item in the rear of the bus before exiting. Authorities believe this individual is also responsible for a similar act of arson involving a Golden Dragon CNG bus at the Half-Way Tree Transportation Centre in 2024. The JUTC stressed the public's crucial role in assisting with the investigation.

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Our mission is to provide a safe and reliable transportation system for the people of Jamaica, and whenever that mission is threatened, we have a responsibility to act decisively.

JUTC Managing Director Owen Ellington emphasized the threat the arson poses not only to the company but also to the safety of commuters. He highlighted the catastrophic potential if the CNG cylinders on the bus had exploded, given the crowded nature of the transportation center. Ellington assured that no passengers were on board either bus during the incidents. The JUTC is collaborating with the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Fire Brigade to apprehend the perpetrator.

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This bus was set ablaze in a crowded transportation center. This bus is powered by CNG, which is an explosive element, and if any of the gas cylinders on that bus exploded in the bus park in the afternoon, the impact would have been catastrophic.

Mark Dillon, Manager of Franchise Protection and Inspection at JUTC, detailed that the suspect boarded a bus in downtown Kingston on May 30 around 2:43 pm. After paying his fare, he traveled to Spanish Town. Upon arrival, as passengers disembarked, the individual remained briefly on the bus. Surveillance footage captured him igniting an object before he quickly left the vehicle, which then became engulfed in flames.

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After paying his fare in cash, he travelled with the other passengers to Spanish Town. When the bus arrived at the Spanish Town lay-by, and the passengers exited the vehicle, the individual remained briefly on board. Surveillance footage shows him igniting an object, then he quickly disembarked, and then shortly thereafter the vehicle engulfed in flames.