Smart Bus Stop Coming to Mount Salem, St James

Montego Bay, St James, Jamaica – The Montego Bay Municipal Corporation is set to establish a smart bus stop in the community of Mount Salem, St James. Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, announced the initiative during a press briefing held at the Corporation on Monday.

Mayor Vernon stated that the project is being developed in collaboration with private sector stakeholders. “We are working with some stakeholders in the private sector to execute this project… . We have very good commitment from them, and we will be partnering to establish the smart bus stop,” he said.

The smart bus stop aims to serve approximately 2,000 individuals expected to be employed at the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), the Western Children and Adolescent Hospital, and other facilities within the CRH health campus upon completion of construction. The Mayor emphasized the benefit to those leaving work late at night.

“They will be able to take out a phone, perhaps scan the QR code on the bus stop, [as] they will have access to the Internet, and when they scan the QR code, it will bring them to the taxi association, and the taxi association will be able to tell them which vehicle is available on the road at what time. It will increase efficiency in transportation within that space and ensure safety for the persons who don’t want to linger too long at a bus stop,” Vernon explained.

Mayor Vernon also indicated that the project is intended to address the issue of unregulated satellite taxi stands across the city, which the Municipal Corporation is working to eliminate. He expressed hope for the support of the Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Daryl Vaz.

The press briefing was held to inform journalists about the Municipal Corporation’s plans for the 2025/2026 fiscal year and to highlight achievements from the previous financial year.