The bus leaves from 24 Haining Drive in New Kingston and on Marine Drive in Montego Bay.

Thank you alimirage, that is well worth knowing. That service could be a big success; it fills a gap in the market.

Do you know where it stops for a break on the journey or the route?

Hey JAsoldier:

I am not sure of the stops on the way but I will certainly post more info as soon as I get it. I agree this service should do well. I heard some of my coworkers saying that they would try it out. I will tell you how their experience went.

Thank you alimirage.

I would love to know the actual route that this bus will take.

Acording to you, from Kgn to MoBay = 10:30 hours.

Acording to you, from MoBay to Kgn = 11:30 hours.

This lengthy travelling time makes it sound like the route will be Kgn, May Pen, Manderville, Black River, Savlamar, Negril to MoBay.

There is definately a need for this service along the south coast.

Johnny, I think all the times shown are departure times. No arrival or journey times are shown.

You are right.

Thank you for clarifying JAsoldier.

Yes, they didn't put the enroute times. I imagine that they will take the North Coast route via Ocho Rios.

Express bus service linking Kingston and MoBay

TANEISHA DAVIDSON, Observer staff reporter

Monday, June 05, 2006

BUSINESS commuters have been eagerly queuing for a new express coach service that not only cuts travelling time from Kingston to Montego Bay, but allows them to adjust their reclining seats and catch up on their reading, surf the net or simply finish that forgotten report inside air-conditioned cabins.

Commuters are even provided with free bottled water. And, for the month of June, they can also cash in on free return fares whenever they use the service.

"The feedback we are getting is that we have definitely filled the void where that (hassel-free travel) is concerned," Oliver Townsend, a director at Knutsford Express, told the Observer.

"Jamaican consumers want a choice, because a lot of people don't travel because they can't find a convenient and affordable service," he added.

Knutsford Express last Thursday began offering its premium coach service - a first of its kind in the island.

For $1,400 one way, passengers can travel non-stop between Kingston and Montego Bay in under four hours.

Currently, public transportation cost ranges between $500 to $550 each way, while a return plane ticket costs up to $4,500.

Townsend said the coach service offers commuters punctual departures, air-conditioned cabin and reclining seats on a 33-seater coach bus. The company also throws in free bottled water in the package.

Buses leave daily at 6:00 am and 4:30 pm from 24 Hanning Road in Kingston, and at 5:00 am and 4:30 pm from Marine Drive, Montego Bay. The buses may use the north or south coast route, depending on the condition out on the road.

"We want to create an environment like an aircraft, but on the road," he said. "During this month, if a person purchases a ticket to Montego Bay or Kingston, their return fare will be free of cost," he added.

According to Townsend, the premium coach service had been endorsed by corporate Jamaica, even though the company's target market is diverse. However, he said that the coach service was not intended to displace existing transportation services between Montego Bay and Kingston.

"We aim to provide a service where persons can put any one of their family members on the bus and know that they will get there safely," Townsend said.

Townsend noted, too, that shortly his company will offer packages that are inclusive of hotel accommodation . In addition, he said the company also planned to acquire more buses as soon as business got off the ground. The company currently has two coach buses servicing the routes

Hi Alimirage,

Thanks for this great information, it sure will make a difference for a lot of people.

ONE LOVE!!

Alimirage - thank you for the work you have put in to give us all this information. The company are talking of expanding, I wonder if we will see a Kingston / Mandeville service eventually.