New Island Traffic Authority, Transport Authority Office for Westmoreland

Work is to get underway in July for the construction of the western Jamaica offices of the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) and the Transport Authority (TA) in Savanna-la- Mar, Westmoreland.

The project, to be undertaken over three months at a cost of $14 million, will include offices for managers and supervisors; storage and inspection areas; kitchenette and eating areas; staff and customer restrooms; classroom and examination room; main entrance hall; customer reception area; and a pound.

Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Mike Henry, in his remarks at the contract signing ceremony held on Tuesday (June 27) at his Maxfield Avenue offices in Kingston, said the project is part of efforts by the Government to create a central Land Transport Authority (LTA).

This is in keeping with the Public Sector Master Rationalisation Plan, aimed at transforming the entire public service.

The LTA will see the merger of the entities relating to land transport into a single agency in order to streamline operations for greater levels of efficiency.

Mr. Henry said the combined resources of the ITA and the TA will assist in streamlining the transport sector creating a “one stop shop.”

“It will yield economies of scale, improve efficiency in operations, opportunities for improving commuter services, more effective enforcement of regulations and the modernising of the management of land transport regulation,” he pointed out.

Minister Henry said the office will help to address the increase in road crashes in Westmoreland.

Westmoreland has recorded the most road deaths since the start of the year, accounting for 34 or approximately 21 per cent of the 160 road fatalities up to June 23.

Managing Director for the TA, Cecil Morgan, said the new facility will better serve public transport operators in western Jamaica.

“We thought it was important for us to bring our office and services closer to them to facilitate the people of Westmoreland and the adjoining parishes so that they won’t have to journey to Mandeville or St. James to get their licence applications done,” he noted.

For his part, Chairman of the ITA, Victor Green, said the new facilities will provide a safer, comfortable and more convenient work environment for the authority’s inspectors, clerical and other staff.

“Improved quality of service, efficiency and customer service, while the motoring public seeks to get certificates of fitness, driver’s licences and all the other services offered by the ITA, will be a feature of this new facility,” he pointed out.

Chin’s Equipment, Rental and Construction Company Limited is the contractor for the project, which is expected to be completed in early September.