The Ministry of Education is partnering with the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) to implement a cashless fare-collection system for students who pay concession fares.

Following a recent meeting between Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites and JUTC Managing Director Colin Campbell, the Education Ministry is encouraging students to get their Smarter Cards in time for September 1, 2014.

The cards will be available for sale at schools, and students who are already signed up with the JUTC but did not get a card, can now visit a JUTC location with proof of identification to collect and top-up their cards.

Children's transport

The Education Ministry is also in discussions with the JUTC to provide Smarter Cards to cover the public transportation needs of school children on the PATH programme.

Minister Thwaites has welcomed the introduction of the Smarter Cards for students, pointing out that it will provide parents with the advantage of spending on their children's transport costs once or twice per month.

In the meantime, the JUTC is reminding its concession passengers that as of August 20, 2014, there were 11 days remaining for them to get their Smarter Cards in preparation for September 1, 2014, from which time Smarter Cards will be the only means by which they will be able to access the concession fare.

The JUTC says it is making a plea to those still needing to get their Smarter Cards "to avoid the last minute rush".