TA’s Discount Programme Gets Support

KINGSTON — A number of licensed Public Passenger Vehicle (PPV) operators have been taking advantage of the Transport Authority’s(TA) recently introduced Discount Programme.

The programme provides PPV drivers and conductors with special discounts at several merchants islandwide, and it is part of the authority’s efforts to ease the burden on PPV operators, while maintaining and improving overall efficiency in the public transport sector.

In an interview with JIS News, General Manager for Finance and Planning at the Transport Authority, Karey Rowe, said that participating merchants have been reporting an increase in the number of persons seeking to benefit under the initiative.

“The merchants have reported that they have been getting a lot of people coming in particularly at Hilo and the Auto parts stores. We have had a number of merchants asking to come unto the programme as well, (and) quite recently we had the gas station asking that they give discount on gas to people in the sector which is unprecedent,” Mr. Rowe said.

So far, approximately 50 merchants, including auto parts dealers and supermarkets, have teamed up with the Transport Authority to provide discounts to PPV operators.

“We are looking at the rural areas now. Each regional office now has a mandate to now go out and recommend the stores that they would want to be a part of the programme. The big push for next year, is to get an insurance company on board, because that is where most people in the sector spend most of their money. So we are looking to negotiate heavily there, between insurance and petrol,” the General Manager said.

Operators wishing to benefit are required to present their Transport Authority issued badges or ID cards. For more information on the Transport Authority’s Discount Programme, persons can call the authority’s toll free line at 1-888-991-5687.

By Latonya Linton, JIS Reporter