By Francine Black, Staff ReporterTHE OLD Harbour Taxi Association's transformation plan, launched on Monday, is expected to be fully operational by today, says members of the taxi association.
This is the second stage of an initiative spearheaded by the National Association of Taxi Operators (NATO) to inject some professionalism in the taxi service. The first stage was an islandwide public education programme for taxi-operators.
The transformation stage includes the issuance of colour coded uniform shirts, at a cost of $650 per shirt to be worn with black trousers. Taxi operators will also receive two identification badges, one to be displayed in the car and the other on their person.
There are plans to introduce the programme in Negril, Lucea and Montego Bay over the next four weeks. NATO's training development plan was also officially launched in Mandeville, yesterday, at the Golf View Hotel and will involve some 4,000 taxi operators in the parish. This programme is estimated to cost them approximately $4 million for the first four months and is scheduled to begin September 24.
Taxi operators islandwide can become a part of the drive by joining any taxi association near them. They are required to pay an entry fee of between $2,000 and $3,000. Following this, a weekly administrative fee $100 is charged, a portion of which is given as a contribution to NATO programmes by the taxi associations. Illegally operated taxis who come onboard by weekend will receive assistance from NATO with procuring their licences within five days.
After being a member for four weeks, cabbies will receive a discount card that will entitle them to discounts on tyres, lubricants, gas and at various businesses, such as hotels, travel agencies and supermarkets. The association is also seeking to make operators a part of the National Housing Trust Scheme.
