New Buses Boost JUTC Earnings by $200 Million in 2025, Says PIOJ

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) saw a significant financial uplift in 2025, with fare income climbing by $200 million to reach $1.5 billion, up from $1.3 billion in 2024. This increase, detailed in the Planning Institute of Jamaica's (PIOJ) Economic and Social Survey Jamaica, stems directly from the state-owned bus company's acquisition of new vehicles.

The expanded fleet allowed for more buses to operate monthly within the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region, increasing from an average of 168 in 2024 to 201 in 2025. This operational enhancement translated into a rise in revenue passenger trips, which grew to 19.0 million from 17.3 million, directly contributing to the higher earnings.

Revenue from charter trips also experienced a notable jump, reaching $135.0 million in 2025, a substantial increase from $100.9 million the previous year. Furthermore, the adoption of the "New Smarter Cards" saw a dramatic surge, with 109,692 cards issued in 2025 compared to 19,135 in 2024. This led to a $129.3 million increase in revenue from card sales, totaling $571.0 million, and accounted for approximately 38.0 percent of total fare income, up from 35.0 percent in 2024.