Can I use cards on buses and public transport in Jamaica?

I had a good experience with JUTC buses in Kingston. At the Half Way Tree terminal, I bought a SmarterCard for 200 JMD and loaded rides with my Mastercard at a kiosk. Once I had that, I could just tap for metro-style boarding. I was staying at a hostel in Constant Spring and used the card every day to reach downtown. For tourists, most drivers will still take cash, but the card system actually works smoothly if you set it up once.

I found public transport in Jamaica stressful. Buses don’t have clear schedules, and everything depends on cash. Staying near Spanish Town Road, I had to ask around for fares since drivers gave different answers. Once I tried to pay with USD notes, and the driver just refused. Even at the big JUTC terminal, no one explained how foreigners can load the SmarterCard with a non-local bank card. Honestly, taxis and cash rides are easier, but expect constant small-bill hassles.

I stayed in New Kingston near Knutsford Boulevard and used JUTC buses a couple of times. I paid $100 JMD in cash each ride. I saw locals tapping their SmarterCards, but I didn’t bother since it seemed complicated to set up as a visitor. When I went to Portmore, I switched to a route taxi and that was also cash-only. Even in tourist areas like Montego Bay, buses are informal and drivers only accept bills. Definitely withdraw Jamaican dollars at Scotiabank ATMs before you ride.

Jamaica doesn’t have a metro, but Kingston has buses like the JUTC (yellow buses). I stayed near Half Way Tree and used them to go downtown. Payment is mostly cash, but JUTC uses a “SmarterCard” that locals load at outlets like NCB Bank branches or at the Half Way Tree terminal. Tourists usually just pay cash to the conductor. On smaller minibuses and route taxis, it’s always cash. Don’t count on card machines working, even in Kingston.