Transport Authority to be Relocated

In a move to serve clients more effectively, come early 2016 the Transport Authority (TA) will relocate its corporate offices to the Jamintel building at the corner of Duke and North Streets, in downtown Kingston.

The building was purchased by the TA in April for $150 million, and is to be retrofitted at a cost of $290 million. Along with structural improvement to the building, the Authority will be installing information technology infrastructure, and retrofitting the car park for use by customers.

Addressing  a stakeholders’ consultation forum, on August 28, at the Pegasus Hotel, in New Kingston, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy, informed that preparatory work currently taking place at the location include air quality testing, and repairing  service elevators to create access for work teams.

Dr. Guy said he has asked the Authority to involve community members in the process to reshape the building. “We have to engage the stakeholders in the community to ensure that harmonious and sustainable relations are established, and that there is equity in the distribution of labour on the project. Accordingly, a social intervention committee has been established,” the Minister said.

He noted that due to space constraint, the Authority has had to locate its administrative block at 119 Maxfield Avenue, and its operations team at 109 Maxfield Avenue.

“The Authority has had to retrofit containers to ensure proper storage and management of its records. In simple terms, the Authority’s operations have far outgrown its current locations,” the Minister said.

For the 2013/2014 fiscal year, the turnaround time for processing road licences was reduced by 50 per cent. The Authority also improved customer service by diversifying payment facilities through partnerships with Paymaster and the National Commercial Bank, which facilitated islandwide payment outlets, and credit and debit card payments.

Drop boxes were also placed in the TA offices to accommodate acceptance of road licence applications.