Mike Henry Meets Route Taxi Operators Friday

KINGSTON — Minister of Transport and Works, Hon Mike Henry, is to meet Friday afternoon with representatives of route taxi operators, to continue discussions on a number of concerns raised by them about their relationship with the Transport Authority (TA).

Friday’s meeting will follow on the heels of one the Minister held on August 17 at his Ministry with the Operations Manager and the Managing Director of the Transport Authority, to get their positions on the issues raised by the taxi operators. Wednesday’s meeting followed preliminary discussions between the Minister and the Route Taxi Association of Jamaica (RTAJ) and the National Council of Taxi Operators (NCOTA) on August 3.

Mr. Henry has, however, expressed disappointment with the operators handling of the issues, especially in the media.

“In the midst of maintaining dialogue and professionalism and in keeping lines of communication open with the transport operators, coming out of our first meeting, agitation is still taking place, especially in the media. Such agitation cannot be in the best interest of the parties concerned, and particularly the travelling public,” Mr. Henry stated.

“We have met with the chairmen of the taxi associations and have discussed some of the issues. That was from August 3. We left that meeting under the impression that we were working together to resolve the outstanding issues. They were supposed to have formally communicated their grouses to me in writing so that we could all go back to the discussion table on a mutual platform. That communication came (Tuesday) almost two weeks later,” he added.

Mr. Henry said it was important for the stakeholders to come to the table with the desire to see the matter resolved speedily, especially in the light of the upcoming new school year.

By BALFORD HENRY, JIS Reporter & Editor