The Jamaica Urban Transit Company’s, dedicated bus lane from Spanish Town to Kingston will be discontinued, effective next Thursday, April 20.

A statement from the JUTC this afternoon (Apl 15) says the discontinuation is partly due to improvement work along the Mandela Highway.

Additionally, there is uncertainty about the possible resumption of the dedicated bus lane when works on the highway are complete, in 2018.

The JUTC says the discontinuation of the bus lane, means all JUTC buses out of Spanish Town will traverse the regular lanes.

This will result in significant increase in travel time and a reduction in the number of cycle trips, during the morning commute.

Commuters are being warned to expect longer than normal delays and are therefore encouraged to plan their morning commute with this in mind.

The JUTC is suggesting they leave out earlier, to capitalize on trips before the morning peak, if possible.

Concern has been raised by some JUTC officials about the implications of the discontinuation of the bus lane, to include possible loss of revenue and traffic congestion.