Land Transportation Authority to be Established

Government is moving to establish a Land Transportation Authority by the next fiscal year, in a bid to improve efficiencies in the transport sector.

Addressing the opening of the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, Minister of Transport, Works & Housing, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, said that consistent with the objective of modernizing the land transportation sector, the Ministry is in the process of hiring a consultant to guide the establishment of the new authority.

The new entity will result from the merger of the Transport Authority and the Island Traffic Authority.

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The Minister pointed out that much of the policy framework for the land transportation service is dated and dispersed under varying pieces of legislation.

Dr. Davies noted that one of the challenges being faced is indiscipline and bad behaviour on the roads, and pointed out that very few of the current systems collaborate or are linked, allowing some offending motorists to escape through the cracks.

He informed that the consultant will be engaged during the second quarter of this fiscal year, leading to the Land Transportation Authority being established in the fiscal year 2014/15.

The Minister also noted that the Road Traffic Act is in the final stages of a comprehensive review and will be taken to Parliament for a new Act to be passed during this Parliamentary year.

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In the meantime, the Transport, Works and Housing Minister acknowledged the need for a fare adjustment, and noted that discussions are ongoing with representatives of the sector to address the issue.

The Minster stated that representatives of the Ministry, whether members of the political directorate or officials, are always available to meet to discuss and resolve problems with representatives of the sector, but emphasized that such meetings must be in the context of mutual respect and order.

“Indiscipline and coarseness must be eliminated from this vital sector of our economy and society,” he emphasized.

Contact: Andrea Braham