Jamaica’s transport minister, Daryl Vaz, made a plea for an additional six months to address the persistent problems in the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus system, which he attributes to his government.
Vaz expressed confidence in receiving support from the Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance to increase the number of buses in operation. He acknowledged the long-standing inefficiencies of the transportation system, particularly the JUTC, and appealed to the public for patience during a tour of the Half-Way-Tree Transport Center. Vaz vowed to exert ongoing efforts to improve the commuting experience until new buses are introduced.
He emphasized his responsibility for the situation and promised to bring about necessary changes. Additionally, Vaz mentioned plans to procure and deploy 300 new buses by 2026, citing financial constraints as a limiting factor.
He also discussed the allocation of approximately $10 billion for the bus purchase and the approval of emergency procurement to rehabilitate buses for hill routes. The minister’s engagement with commuters and plans for further fare reductions were highlighted as part of his initiatives to alleviate the transportation challenges.
Police held a suspect with a gun at Bog Walk motel.
Law enforcement officers apprehended a suspect on the evening of Thursday, January 11, 2024, after allegedly discovering a firearm in his possession at a motel situated in Bog Walk, St Catherine.
The incident unfolded at approximately 7:45 p.m., when police personnel from the St Catherine North division carried out a meticulously planned operation at the aforementioned motel in Bog Walk.
During the operation, the officers forcibly entered a door, and the suspect was allegedly observed with a gun in his grasp. Following this, he purportedly leaped through a bathroom window, resulting in injury to himself.
The firearm in question, identified as a Beretta semi-automatic pistol, was fitted with a magazine that contained two 9mm rounds and was allegedly seized from the suspect.
Subsequently, he was taken into custody and escorted to a medical facility, where he was admitted for treatment for his injuries.
It is anticipated that the police will officially arraign the suspect on charges relating to the possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorized possession of ammunition.