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63 New CNG Buses Arrive

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KINGSTON, June 19 (JIS): The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) fleet has been boosted with the arrival of 63 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.

Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, and a team consisting of JUTC Managing Director, Owen Ellington, and Managing Director of Stewart’s Automotive Group, Duncan Stewart, were on site at Kingston Wharves on Thursday (June 19), to witness the arrival of the Yutong buses.

The Minister noted that arrival of the buses is a fulfilment of his commitment to provide the JUTC with 100 buses per year for three years.

“We are now in year two and already the second hundred buses are due to arrive in Jamaica. Sixty-three buses arrived today and are being unloaded. Another thirty coach diesel buses for excursions/charters will arrive on July 9 and another seven CNG buses for [persons with disabilities] will arrive in August of 2025. So, I will deliver on the second hundred buses within the first three months of the new financial year,” Mr. Vaz outlined.

He pointed out that with the latest arrival of buses, the JUTC now has more new buses in its fleet than older ones.

Mr. Vaz said the new CNG buses will operate out of the Spanish Town depot, where a new CNG fueling facility is now under construction and expected to be completed by the last week of August.

“Those buses that are now at Spanish Town will be redeployed in some instances to improve the existing service and to continue to expand the routes. So, this is a game changer for public transport in Jamaica,” the Minister said.

He noted that the JUTC has been seeing fewer complaints in recent months and commended the JUTC management for providing improved service to citizens.

Mr. Vaz pointed out that the new buses will positively contribute to service delivery, as they will reduce wait times on critical routes.

Each bus has a full capacity of up to 80 passengers distributed between seated and standing.

The Minister explained that the buses will do an average of six trips per day each, transporting at maximum capacity a total of 480 passengers per bus per day.

This means the full cohort of 70 CNG buses (the remaining seven are to arrive in August) will be able to transport 33,600 passengers per day.                                                                                                                          “That is going to improve existing routes, expand routes, and most importantly, bring the wait time for passengers down,” Mr. Vaz affirmed.

In his remarks, Mr. Ellington advised that information regarding the routes that the new buses will be placed on is to be put in the public domain shortly, so commuters can begin to anticipate the increased seats on their routes.

“We have done some service planning ahead of the arrival of these buses, so we know the routes that are currently underserved and require additional seats,” the Managing Director said.

He noted that the new CNG buses bring the JUTC’s operable fleet to approximately 350 units.

The new buses were procured by the Ministry, through the Stewart’s Automotive Group.                                                                                                                                                                                                         The dealership’s Managing Director emphasised that the state-of-the-art 12-metre 51-seat CNG buses will deliver superior service to the commuting public.

“Some of the highlights of the buses are that we have more space in the bus, so the leg room and shoulder room in the bus is superior; the bus is equipped with air suspension, so it is very comfortable even on our roads and we have superior fuel economy, and this is very important for JUTC’s operations,” Mr. Stewart explained.

The buses are also equipped with air suspension, allowing them to lower for passengers to board, and charging ports for mobile devices.

CONTACT: DONIQUE WESTON

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

Photos by Adrian Walker.

Header: Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz (second right), inspects a shipment of CNG buses at Kingston Wharves on Thursday (June 19). He is accompanied by (from left) Managing Director of Stewart’s Automotive Group, Duncan Stewart; Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) Managing Director, Owen Ellington; JUTC Director of Operations, Romain-Khade Gayle and General Manager for Terminal Operations at Kingston Wharves, Ryan Peart. A total of 63 buses arrived and will be handed over to the JUTC to boost its fleet.

1st insert: Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz (right), poses with one of the new CNG buses that arrived at Kingston Wharves on Thursday (June 19). He is joined in the photo by Managing Director of Stewart’s Automotive Group, Duncan Stewart (left) and Managing Director of Stewart’s Auto Sales Ltd., Jackie Stewart Lechler. A total of 63 buses arrived and they will be handed over to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) to boost its fleet.

2nd insert: One of the 63 new CNG buses procured for the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is offloaded at Kingston Wharves on Thursday (June 19).

3rd insert: Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, gives his approval after touring one of the 63 new CNG buses that arrived at Kingston Wharves on Thursday (June 19). The buses will be handed over to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC).

4th insert: Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, inspects a shipment of CNG buses that arrived at Kingston Wharves on Thursday (June 19). The 63 buses will be handed over to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), to boost its fleet.

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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