OPPOSITION spokesman on transport Mikael Phillips on Wednesday warned that years of “policy drift and uncontrolled expansion within Jamaica’s transport sector have created systemic chaos” across the country, leaving commuters and operators trapped in worsening congestion, and growing disorder.

During his contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, Phillips also unveiled a 10-point reform proposal which he said was aimed at rescuing the country’s failing public transport system through stronger regulation, improved infrastructure, modern technology and a long-promised national transport plan.

“We have called upon the Administration time and time again, Madam Speaker, to answer the simple question: Why has it taken so long for a national transport plan? What is the long-term vision to rescue and improve our public transportation system?”

The Opposition spokesman argued that the rapid increase in route taxi and hackney carriage licences over the past decade had overwhelmed major town centres and transport hubs while little corresponding investment had been made in parking facilities, traffic management, or commuter infrastructure.

Citing Transport Authority figures, Phillips said route taxis islandwide increased from roughly 12,000 in 2016 to more than 20,000 by 2025, while hackney carriage licences within the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR) surged dramatically over the same period.

“When you examine these numbers, Madam Speaker, a staggering 225 per cent explosion in hackney carriage licences within the KMTR over nine years, together with a 168 per cent surge in route taxis islandwide, reveals the gravity of the crisis,” he said.

Phillips argued that the absence of proper planning had created worsening disorder within urban centres, with both commuters and operators forced to navigate increasingly chaotic conditions on a daily basis.

“It is no wonder, Madam Speaker, that what is witnessed daily is chaos and mayhem in every town centre across Jamaica, where both operators and commuters are cramming into cars as if it were the Middle Passage, relegating them to a second-class status,” he said.

Phillips blamed inadequate parking infrastructure and the lack of designated loading zones for worsening congestion and indiscipline across the transport system.

“This is the very height of governmental negligence, a move that effectively mandates the congestion and systemic indiscipline now choking every town centre across the nation,” Phillips argued.

As part of his proposed reforms, Phillips called for the establishment of a workable taxi franchise system within the KMTR and argued that taxi operators should be formally integrated into a more organised public transport structure.

The Opposition spokesman also proposed the creation of a national modernisation grant and loan facility through partnerships involving the Development Bank of Jamaica and commercial financial institutions to help transport operators upgrade vehicles and improve service quality.

Phillips additionally pushed for a more structured and predictable fare system, arguing that inconsistent fare adjustments were contributing to declining service standards and growing tension within the sector.

“While many find high costs unaffordable, keeping rates artificially low without matching government subsidies results in systemic decline and a sharp drop in service standards,” Phillips warned.

He further renewed calls for the responsibility of determining public passenger fares to be transferred to the Office of Utilities Regulation rather than remain under political control.

Technology also formed a major part of Phillips’ reform proposal. He argued that Jamaica needed to move towards a more integrated and modern transport system capable of tracking passenger demand, improving efficiency, and strengthening accountability.

“Jamaica should move towards an integrated public transport platform, cashless payment, real-time bus tracking, taxi and bus fare maps, digital routes licensing, passenger complaint tracking, data on passenger demand by route and time,” he said.

Phillips also called for stronger but fairer enforcement across the transport sector, arguing that operators could not be expected to maintain order while facing inadequate infrastructure and outdated regulations.

The Opposition spokesman additionally criticised delays in implementing several provisions of the Road Traffic Act, including the demerit points system and the use of traffic cameras.

“The KMTR needs a single Transport Planning Authority with real power to coordinate JUTC (Jamaica Urban Transit Company), route taxes, hackney carriage, municipalities, traffic management and infrastructure. Right now, responsibilities are too scattered,” he argued.

“These proposals may help to form the core of a national transport plan, a strategic long-term vision to salvage our public transportation system from its current state of decay,” declared Phillips.