Transport Authority Steps up Regulatory Activities

The Transport Authority has stepped up its monitoring and regulatory activities over the last few months to clamp down on illegal operators in the public transport system.
The Authority’s Managing Director, Daniel Dawes speaking at a press conference held today (April 2) at the Ministry of Transport and Works’ Maxfield Avenue office, said that more than 57 regulatory operations have been carried out across the island since February with some 2,700 prosecutions for breaches of the transport regulations.
“Several aspects of illegal operations were contained. These regulatory activities have targeted general indiscipline in the sector including excessive tinting of vehicles, use of audiovisual equipment, attire of drivers and conductors, non-completion of routes and other illegal operations,” Mr. Dawes informed.
The regulatory drive is in keeping with a mandate from Minister of Transport and Works, Mike Henry, to improve service delivery and restore order to the public transport system.
He noted that the operations, which were carried out in collaboration with the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF), the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and the Island Special Authority (ISA) “caused quite a stir among public transport operators”, who voiced concerns about a number of issues, including the use of am/fm radios in public passenger vehicles.
The Authority, in responding to the concerns, has exercised discretion in respect to the playing of am/fm radios, however, the use of all other audio and audiovisual equipment is prohibited.
In the meantime, Mr. Dawes said that the Authority has increased public education regarding the various regulations, and would be embarking on a series of parish consultations, the first of which will be held in Montego Bay on April 16, 2009.
“These consultations will be used to disseminate information regarding the mandate of the Authority, guidelines for legal operations of public passenger vehicles and to obtain feedback from the public regarding the transport sector,” he informed.
He also mentioned that as part of measures to improve service delivery, the Transport Authority would, in another few weeks, launch the online applications system for commercial carriers. “We are also sending reminders to all commercial carriage operators regarding renewal of their licences,” he stated.
Mr. Henry, in his comments, noted that “no transport system can work efficiently without discipline as the central ingredient”.
“The matter of indiscipline, lawlessness and wanton disregard for public regulations and widespread non-adherence to the terms and conditions under which they have been licensed have become an-all-too common factor of the public passenger vehicle operators,” Mr. Henry said.
“I do not intend to preside over a transport system, which is fraught with indiscipline and not seek to do something about it,” he added.
The Transport Authority is the agency charged with responsibility for the licensing of all public and commercial vehicles and the regulating and monitoring of public transportation in Jamaica.