Brand new JUTC bus stoned
Just one day after being rolled out for service, a brand new Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus became the latest casualty in a wave of brazen attacks that continue to rattle the island's public transportation system.
Approximately 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, commuters on Route 32B -- headed to Spanish Town via Washington Boulevard -- were jolted into fear when unidentified individuals hurled stones at the bus as it passed the Drewsland area in St Andrew.
The assailants struck with force, shattering the front windshield and halting what should have been a routine evening commute. The JUTC said no injuries were reported.
Managing Director Owen Ellington minced no words in his condemnation.
""We strongly condemn these attacks on our buses," he said.
"Stoning buses endangers lives, damages valuable national assets, and erodes public confidence in public transportation services," he added.
The July 16 assault marks just the latest in a disturbing pattern of violence that has plagued several key corridors within the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region.
"We call on citizens to stand with us in protecting our commuters, and urge anyone with information on the perpetrators to report it to the Jamaica Constabulary Force immediately," Ellington said.