Transport Authority Gets 12 Motor Cars to Improve Monitoring of Sector

Twelve motor cars have been added to the fleet of the Transport Authority, which will be used to improve the authority’s capacity to monitor and regulate the public transportation sector.

Managing Director of the Transport Authority, Ralston Smith, said acquisition of the vehicles represents a significant investment in the organisation’s future and “symbolises our commitment to retooling our operational apparatus”.

“Indeed, it is part of our effort to rebrand the Operations Division,” Mr. Smith said during the handover ceremony held at the Authority’s Maxfield Avenue offices in Kingston, on April 25.

He also informed that the Transport Authority is advanced in its effort of rebranding, through the establishment of a uniform committee, which is tasked with reviewing the uniform, logo and other paraphernalia for the inspectorate, coupled with a fusion of technological support to come on stream in the ensuing months.

“Among them is our e-ticketing system to replace the antiquated summons system and of course, radio communication and other technological devices to support the work of the Operations Division,” Mr. Smith said.

“With the cars being relatively new, we expect their impact on the environment to be very negligent in terms of carbon emission and, therefore, we are confident that they will provide a faster and more efficient means of carrying out our daily activities, both in terms of operations and investigations,” he added.

He noted that the vehicles will help the Transport Authority to maintain a high visibility in the town centres, cities and at various hotspots across the country.

The Managing Director further stated that the vehicles will be used not just for operational activities but also for commuter engagement, information sharing and gathering intelligence.

“I encourage our inspectors and drivers to treat these vehicles as you treat your own; let us care these vehicles. I charge you, therefore, to continue to be a beacon for the Authority, continue to offer excellent service to the public, be kind to each other, and be examples for the new recruits,” Mr. Smith said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Transport Authority, Owen Ellington, emphasised the need for the entity to procure more vehicles.

“[There is] a need to build out on your mobility, and I think you need to carefully assess the requirements for patrols and presence on the road and commit to deploying a minimum number of cars with people in each of the regions that you serve,” Mr. Ellington said.