Transport sector discusses changes
THE Transport Authority will continue dialogue with stakeholders in the public transport sector with regards to motor vehicle examinations for the renewal/re-application of all Public Passenger Vehicle (PPV) road licences which expire on March 31.
The authority says that this is necessary in order to facilitate timely submission of road licence applications.
“The early commencement for motor vehicle examination is part of the authority’s thrust to provide timely, convenient and efficient service to customers,” the TA said in a release.
The authority says that under the new regulations, licensees are not required to pay the vehicle examination fee upfront, as these fees will be collected upon submission of their applications for renewal of their road licences.
The cut-off date for vehicle examination under this facility is March 15. Thereafter, the normal motor vehicle examination and road licence reapplication/ renewal procedure will resume.
The TA says that in the meantime, it is reminding the owners of PPV licences that failure to complete the renewal/ reapplication process by March 31 means that their road licences would become invalid as of April 1. Consequently, holders of road licences, which expired on March 31,who are interested in continuing public transportation services may be required to submit new applications, for which approval cannot be guaranteed.
As part of ongoing efforts to improve the public transportation system, the Transport Authority has introduced a system of colour coding of public passenger vehicles. All taxis are now required to have a checkered strip running down the side of the vehicle, as well as the globe at the top of the vehicle, clearly marked ‘taxi’.
Managing director of the Transport Authority, Donald Foster, says that the measures are now part of their regulations.
“They have been gazetted, and so by the end of March, which is the end of the relicensing or reapplication period, all hackney carriage taxis as well as route taxis should be fitted with their colour-coded signs,” Foster said.
Speaking on behalf of the operators, president of the Route Taxi Association of Jamaica (RTAJ), Sophia Campbell, confirmed operators who are members of the association have been complying with the new regulations, including the introduction of the system of colour coding of public passenger vehicles.
“We have to work with order and this is one of the things that we think will help to professionalize the sector,” Campbell said.
She said that her association would continue discussions on the way forward for the sector in 2016.
She said that following today’s meeting the RTAJ will be having a meeting with its members next week to update them on the latest developments in the sector.