Under the new strategy, persons found riding on the JUTC buses without a ticket would be required to pay again. - File

Director of communications in the Ministry of Transport and Works, Reginald Allen, says plans to implement a new strategy to rid the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) of corruption were being put in place.

Allen said over the years the problem of corruption had proven difficult to control and had cost the company much.

The new strategy includes making drivers and conductors culpable in certain instances.

While persons found riding on the buses without a ticket would be required to pay again, conductors and drivers may face fines of up to $25,000 for not issuing one.

Fine

Passengers who alter or deface their tickets are liable to a fine of $50,000.

Currently, the ministry is using different platforms to inform the public about penalties.

Allen said that while the public would be fully educated before the regulation was implemented, operators would not be spared as they were fully aware of the consequences.

Recently, an operator was charged after he was caught indulging in fraudulent activities by issuing stubs instead of the correct receipt to the passengers.

"There are some unscrupulous operators in the system who have found ways to circumvent the system themselves, most likely inherent to their own benefit," he said.

He said they had to implement mechanisms in the past but in this case they would have to enforce what was in the law.

New approach

Allen said the new approach was important to protecting the integrity of the company as well as its operating revenues.

The strategy would be rolling out in a a matter of weeks, based on the success of the public education process.

He said a revenue team would be routinely checking the buses to see if commuters were holding legitimate tickets.

The director of communications said in some cases commuters were given a concessionary ticket after paying the adult fee, and some commuters enter the buses with an invalid ticket.

Persons who are entitled to a concessionary ticket are children, disabled individuals, and the elderly.

Allen urges commuters to ensure they are given a ticket and the ticket is legitimate.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com