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Transport Authority Decries Abuse of Commuter's Rights to Disembark Vehicle
The Transport Authority is decrying the blatant abuse of passenger rights as highlighted by a recent video circulated on social media and is warning offending operators that its operations teams will be exercising a zero tolerance approach to such incidents. The Authority uses this medium to express its deepest concern for the obvious distress suffered by the female passenger, whose rights, as a commuter were clearly infringed, since every passenger has a right to freely embark and disembark a motor vehicle at any convenient point. The Authority also publicly condemns the unsympathetic behaviour of the driver of the motor vehicle, who disregarded his responsibility to ensure that passengers are transported in a safe, secure and comfortable manner. Having become aware of the incident, the Authority commenced extensive efforts to contact the distressed passenger or other persons who may have witnessed the incident. A public plea was made on radio by the General Manager, Operations of the Transport Authority requesting that contact be made. Further, the Authority has intensified its monitoring and regulating of Public Passenger Vehicles, through the use of technology. As a part of this thrust, the Authority has added two applications to its monitoring system; WhatsApp and the Drive Safe Jamaica App, which are both fully functional and in use by the commuting public. Videos and pictures of infractions being committed by operators of Public Passenger Vehicles may be uploaded to the Transport Authority’s WhatsApp number, (876) 551-8196 or to the Drive Safe Jamaica App, which can be downloaded in Google Play Store. The Authority encourages the public to fully utilize these applications to report the various infractions that may be committed by PPV operators, so that the appropriate sanctions under the Transport Authority’s Suspension and Revocation Policy can be applied. Additionally, the Authority is encouraging members of the commuting public to choose only legal Public Passenger Vehicles as their mode of transportation.
NO AGREEMENT IN PLACE BETWEEN UBER AND CONTRACT CARRIAGE GROUPS IN MONTEGO BAY
{{ "News/motorista-da-uber.jpg" | asset_url | img_tag }}Kingston, Jamaica- February 7, 2024. The Transport Authority says it has met with its stakeholders, contract carriage groups from across the country and they have indicated that there is no agreement in place with Uber, but rather, an offer is on the table, which is being reviewed. The Authority expressed concerns about the lack of mechanism associated with Uber’s platform to properly screen both vehicles and drivers, to ensure the protection of the rights and wellbeing of persons who rely on these apps for public transportation. The Authority reiterates that all motor vehicles transporting passengers for a fee MUST have the requisite road licence and the drivers should display a badge issued by the Transport Authority. In the meantime, the Authority says that while it encourages diversity and engagement of technological solutions in providing services, it should be noted that any attempt to circumvent the provisions of the law will be taken as intent to operate illegally and not in the interest of good order or safety. Managing Director, Ralston Smith of the Transport Authority is urging operators who have intention of transporting commuters for a fee to apply for their road licence as they could be fined up to $200,000.00 or imprisonment for 2 months under Section 15B(1), for operating without a road licence. The Authority is encouraging commuters to report the licence plate number of any vehicle they observe operating illegally (providing public passenger vehicle services for a fee/fare without a red plate/road licence) by calling our toll-free number 888-991-5687, Whatsapp 876-551-8196 or on our Travel Pal platform at Google Play Store or Apple Store. -30-
TRANSPORT AUTHORITY REMINDS PPV OWNERS AND OPERATORS THAT IT IS ILLEGAL TO TRANSPORT PASSENGERS WITHOUT THE REQUISITE ROAD LICENCE
{{ "News/20191010_IMG_0225_med.jpg" | asset_url | img_tag }}The Transport Authority is reminding owners and operators of public passenger vehicles that Under section 61 (1) of the Road Traffic Act (1938) anyone who uses or causes or permits a motor vehicle to be used on any road as a public passenger vehicle without the requisite road licence is in contravention of the law. As such any provision of public transportation services, deemed functionally as such requires a road licence from the Authority. In the meantime, managing director, Ralston Smith, is urging the commuting public, to use only legal public passenger vehicles for their own safety. He says public passenger vehicles with red plates and current Transport Authority stickers on the windscreen are safe for use as they have met the safety requirements of the Authority. Commuters should also check to ensure that the driver of the vehicle is wearing a Transport Authority badge prior to boarding the vehicle. The Authority is encouraging commuters to report the licence plate number of any vehicle they observe operating illegally (providing public passenger vehicle services for a fee/fare without a red plate/road licence) by calling our toll free number 888-991-5687, Whatsapp 876-551-8196 or on our Travel Pal platform at Google Play Store or Apple Store. -30-
TRANSPORT AUTHORITY’S 2024/2025 LICENSING PERIOD HAS STARTED
Transport Authority says the 2024/2025 licencing period has started for all categories of public passenger vehicles and commercial carriers; and as part of the Authority’s digital transformation programme, will be emailing the Road Licences to its customers. The Authority says the February 1, 2024 start of the Licensing Period is to facilitate the timely submission and processing of road licences and commercial carriers applications, which expire on March 31, 2024. To complement this process, the Authority has been facilitating motor vehicle Inspection for public transportation since January 8, 2024. The Authority is advising that application can be made at our Online Application portal at www.ta.org.jm for the following categories of Public Passenger Vehicle Licences and Commercial Carriers: · New and Renewal Contract Carriage, Express Carriage and Route Taxi licences; · Renewal Hackney Carriages; and · New and Renewal Commercial Carriers · Walk-in customers will be processed by our Customer Care Team The Transport Authority is reminding customers who conduct transactions at its offices, that the Authority no longer accepts cash payments at its locations. Customers may use any of the several payment facilities including paymaster, bill express, apply online or use debit and credit cards at the offices. PPV operators and Commercial Carriers are urged to renew their road licences before March 31 and avoid the late payment penalty. -30-
