Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Stanford Stewart, president of the Oracabessa Taxi Association, adrdressing a meeting of taxi operators and other players in the public transportation sector. The occasion was a meeting between taxi operators and Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill. The meeting was held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel in New Kingston yesterday. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
SEVERAL KEY players in the transportation sector, including officials of the Transport Authority and taxi operators from across the island, yesterday met with Transport and Works Minister Robert Pickersgill, to discuss recent amendments to the Transport Authority and Road Traffic Acts.
The meeting took place at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston.
Mr. Pickersgill noted that the changes which took effect on June 9, came about after extensive consultation sessions among interested entities. He said they are intended to "play a major role in helping to bring order to the public passenger transport sector,".
One major aim behind the recent amendments, is to tackle the growing problem of illegal taxis.
ILLEGAL TAXIS
Mr. Pickersgill noted that there are currently about 18,000 illegal taxis operating on the roads. He said it is estimated that these illegal taxi operators earn about $8 billion annually. This, he said, does not include fees that would accrue to the Transport Authority and income tax payments.
The minister said the state-run Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is also feeling the pinch of the illegal taxi operators' clandestine hustle. Mr. Pickersgill said the pursuits of persons operating taxis illegally played a major role in the reduction in ridership on JUTC buses, from 88 million in 2003 to 77 million in 2004, a reduction of 12.5 per cent.
The amendments which touch on several areas, including the seizure of vehicles, definition of route taxis, licensing of vehicles and the conduct of drivers, have been endorsed
by Elan Powell, Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the police traffic division. "We support the changes 110 per cent. They will help us in policing the roads and to have better control over taxi operators," he said.
Under the amendments, fines for traffic-related offences have been significantly increased, and the police's seizure powers have also been strengthened.
Taxis are now required to have:
Red plates.
Their association's logo on the two front doors of the vehicle.
A number, which each vehicle in an association must have.
Parish colour coded stickers on the front and rear windshields.
The route destination displayed on both front doors.
A 5x7 inch picture ID of the driver clearly displayed in the vehicle
For details on other amendments, contact the Ministry of Transport and Works at 754-1900.
