Vaz: Normalcy seems to have returned to transport sector following all-island strike
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Transport Minister Daryl Vaz announced that normalcy seems to have returned to the transport sector following Monday’s all-island strike, which saw some public passenger operators withdrawing their services.
The minister reported that he received updates from Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gary McKenzie, Head of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), and the Transport Authority indicating that buses and taxis on various routes across the island have resumed operations, and roadblocks have not been remounted.
The buses are out, all different types and shapes and routes, and the roadblocks that were cleared yesterday (Monday) have not been remounted. I am hopeful this trend will continue throughout the morning so that people can go about their lawful business and reach their destinations in a timely manner,” Minister Vaz said.
On Monday, members of the transport sector withdrew their services, leaving commuters, including school children, stranded at bus stops. They were protesting the potential reinstatement of driver’s license suspensions due to accumulated demerit points, a decision stemming from a June 5 meeting involving stakeholders and the Island Traffic Authority.
READ: WATCH: Scores stranded in Spanish Town amid public transportation strike
In response, public passenger vehicle operators had threatened to strike for five days.
Minister Vaz called the all-island transportation strike “premature and unnecessary” as a meeting to discuss the issues, including the suspension of licenses, was scheduled for Tuesday. The meeting is set for 9 am at the Transport Authority head office.
“To remind all transport operators, the meeting scheduled for this morning at 9 o’clock is on at the Transport Authority head office, where the steering committee members will meet with the police, the Transport Authority, the Island Traffic Authority, and the Ministry of Transport team to review the concerns raised from the June 5 meeting,” Vaz said.
He added: “I am hoping that this was all just a big miscommunication why we had the issue that we had yesterday and that there was no other motive, but, I am happy to say that good sense is prevailing and the commitment to meet with the transport operators is on for 9 o’clock this morning. We will keep you posted on the development of that.”
Minister Vaz apologised for the disruption commuters faced on Monday, with many turning to private taxis and experiencing inflated fares to reach their destinations.
“Once again, I apologise for the disruption yesterday and hope this serves as a lesson for all of us to know that communication, collaboration, and consensus can take us a far way rather than the type of activities that took place yesterday. There were no winners yesterday, including those who withdrew their services because they earned nothing for the day,” Vaz stated.
