Lynford Simpson, Staff Reporter
THE TRANSPORT Authority will be relocating its Montego Bay office next Monday, September 11, from Market Street to more spacious surroundings at the Life of Jamaica complex in the Montego Freeport.
"The benefit of that is that there will be a lot more space for our customers, and it will be more comfortable for our employees," Transport Authority boss, Commander John McFarlane told Auto Feature last Friday.
He said there will be more parking available for members of the public doing business with the Authority, and more seating for customers, "making it a more customer-friendly atmosphere".
Additionally, the licensing system will be computerised, providing a direct link to the Kingston-based office. This, Commander McFarlane said, would serve to make the process more efficient. The Montego Bay office serves the parishes of St. James, Trelawny, Hanover and Westmoreland and, handles a high volume of traffic daily.
The Transport Authority also has offices in Mandeville serving St. Elizabeth, Manchester and parts of Clarendon, and near Ocho Rios serving St. Ann and parts of St. Mary.
Commander McFarlane pointed out that these offices have served to reduce the crush on the Kingston office, although applications are still sent to Kingston for approval. He explained that the computer network will now allow for a reduction in the processing time and renewal of licences for Public Passenger Vehicles, popularly called 'red plates'. This, he said, could soon be done in a matter of days.
"Ultimately you are supposed to walk in and leave with a renewal, you don't have to wait or come back," Commander McFarlane said. The aim, he disclosed, was for that to happen by the end of the year. Currently, renewals take up to several weeks.
