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JUTC GETS 93 NEW BUSES

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Kingston, Jamaica, July 16, 2025(JIS) – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) fleet of vehicles has been bolstered with the addition of 93 new buses.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The units, which comprise 63 compressed natural gas (CNG) and 30 diesel coach buses, were officially handed over at the JUTC’s Portmore Bus Depo in Braeton, St Catherine on Wednesday (July 16).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              The new vehicles represent phase two of the Government’s initiative to provide 300 new buses to the State-owned company over three years as part of efforts to create a modern, reliable, and inclusive transport system. The first 100 were delivered in July 2024.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in his address at the handover ceremony, highlighted the benefits the additional buses will bring to the commuting public, and the country’s wider economy.

“The investment in new buses and in trying to create a world-class transportation system… is about setting the framework for growth for everyone. It’s about making our economy more efficient so that everyone who has to use public transportation can be more productive in their personal or work endeavours,” he added.

The Prime Minister said that the country’s economic stability allowed the Government to invest in the transport sector and purchase the 93 buses at a cost of $2.35 billion.

“We have achieved economic stability through good fiscal management and through institutional strengthening and development. The investments that we are making in public transportation are designed to improve the comfort and convenience of the travelling public; they are designed to improve the affordability,” he pointed out.

Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, in his remarks, pledged that with the latest injection of buses, the JUTC’s services will be drastically improved.

“Today is not just a handover ceremony; it’s a milestone, a step forward in our national journey to deliver public transportation that works for all Jamaicans. It’s not a symbolic gesture but a bold signal that the Government is delivering safer, cleaner and more efficient transport options for Jamaicans,” Minister Vaz declared.

He informed that since the Ministry began expanding the JUTC fleet with 70 buses in 2023 and 100 CNG buses in 2024, service delivery across the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR) was significantly improved, resulting in an increase in revenue from passenger and charter trips.

The Minister noted that the JUTC’s daily deployment includes 110 CNG buses, six battery electric buses and one range extender electric vehicle, resulting in a reduction in carbon emissions.                                                                                                           “This means 53.6 per cent of JUTC’s operable fleet now runs on cleaner, lower emission technologies. This shift, which began in earnest in September 2024 has yielded significant cost savings and environmental benefits, lowering carbon emissions in alignment with Jamaica’s broader sustainable goals,” Minister Vaz noted.

The CNG buses handed over today will be deployed on routes served by the Spanish Town depo, while the diesel coach buses will serve the current premium bus routes, and the planned long-haul express routes from the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre to various parish capitals.

An additional seven buses, which are being manufactured to accommodate commuters with special needs, are expected to arrive in the island by August 2025.

CONTACT: VANESSA JAMES

Photo Caption: 

Header: Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left) converses with Jodi-Ann Baker (seated, centre), a commuter with special needs, during the handover of 93 buses to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) at the Portmore JUTC bus depo in Braeton, St. Catherine, on Wednesday (July 16). They are joined by Member of Parliament for Portland Eastern, Ann-Marie Vaz; Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz; State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Member of Parliament for East Central St. Catherine, Hon. Alando Terrelonge; and Golden Age Home nurse aide, Everton Watt.

1st insert: Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, looks at the street scene in Spanish Town while travelling on one of the 93 new buses handed over to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) at the Portmore bus depo in St. Catherine on Wednesday (July 16).

2nd insert: Several of the 93 buses handed over to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) at the Portmore JUTC bus depo in Braeton, St. Catherine, on Wednesday (July 16).

Photo Credit: Rudranath Fraser  and Donald De La Haye

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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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