JATOO protests against reduced sub-franchise routes

Several commuters were yesterday greatly affected after members of the Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO) parked their buses in protest against the decision made by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) to reduce sub-franchise routes.

Meanwhile, taxi-operators took the opportunity to scoop up commuters who were left stranded, while the JUTC also saw a spike in demand.

“Dis took me by surprise. I didn’t know anything about any strike to tell you di truth. Me see one and two coaster buses and dem pack up, is a coaster bus I will have to take,” a woman told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Another commuter said he hopes that the strike will only last for today (Thursday), “Di JUTC alone can’t manage the work, we need di coaster buses. Hope dem sort it out because di public can’t manage the inconvenience,” a man who gave his name as Barry said.

Meanwhile, JUTC Chairman, Dr Garnett Roper, said yesterday that more than 300 buses were sent out to cover the routes affected by the strike.

Coaster bus operators decided to withdraw their services in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region following a meeting on Wednesday night.