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Transport Authority Decries Abuse of Commuter's Rights to Disembark Vehicle
The Transport Authority is decrying the blatant abuse of passenger rights as highlighted by a recent video circulated on social media and is warning offending operators that its operations teams will be exercising a zero tolerance approach to such incidents. The Authority uses this medium to express its deepest concern for the obvious distress suffered by the female passenger, whose rights, as a commuter were clearly infringed, since every passenger has a right to freely embark and disembark a motor vehicle at any convenient point. The Authority also publicly condemns the unsympathetic behaviour of the driver of the motor vehicle, who disregarded his responsibility to ensure that passengers are transported in a safe, secure and comfortable manner. Having become aware of the incident, the Authority commenced extensive efforts to contact the distressed passenger or other persons who may have witnessed the incident. A public plea was made on radio by the General Manager, Operations of the Transport Authority requesting that contact be made. Further, the Authority has intensified its monitoring and regulating of Public Passenger Vehicles, through the use of technology. As a part of this thrust, the Authority has added two applications to its monitoring system; WhatsApp and the Drive Safe Jamaica App, which are both fully functional and in use by the commuting public. Videos and pictures of infractions being committed by operators of Public Passenger Vehicles may be uploaded to the Transport Authority’s WhatsApp number, (876) 551-8196 or to the Drive Safe Jamaica App, which can be downloaded in Google Play Store. The Authority encourages the public to fully utilize these applications to report the various infractions that may be committed by PPV operators, so that the appropriate sanctions under the Transport Authority’s Suspension and Revocation Policy can be applied. Additionally, the Authority is encouraging members of the commuting public to choose only legal Public Passenger Vehicles as their mode of transportation.
Transport Authority gets 12 new motor cars to improve monitoring of sector
Twelve motor cars have been added to the fleet of the Transport Authority, which will be used to improve the authority's capacity to monitor and regulate the public transportation sector.{{ "vehicle.jpg" | asset_url | img_tag }}Managing Director at the Transport Authority, Ralston Smith (second right), cuts the ribbon to officially hand over 12 motor vehicles during a ceremony held at the Authority’s Maxfield Avenue offices in Kingston today. Others (from left) are Board Chairman, Transport Authority, Owen Ellington; new recruit at the Authority, Melissa Duncan; and Driver, Clovis Ashmede.Managing Director of the Transport Authority, Ralston Smith, said acquisition of the vehicles represents a significant investment in the organisation's future and “symbolises our commitment to retooling our operational apparatus”. “Indeed, it is part of our effort to rebrand the Operations Division,” Smith said during the handover ceremony held at the Authority's Maxfield Avenue offices in Kingston today.He also informed that the Transport Authority is advanced in its effort of rebranding, through the establishment of a uniform committee, which is tasked with reviewing the uniform, logo and other paraphernalia for the inspectorate, coupled with a fusion of technological support to come on stream in the ensuing months. “Among them is our e-ticketing system to replace the antiquated summons system and of course, radio communication and other technological devices to support the work of the Operations Division,” Smith said. “With the cars being relatively new, we expect their impact on the environment to be very negligent in terms of carbon emission and, therefore, we are confident that they will provide a faster and more efficient means of carrying out our daily activities, both in terms of operations and investigations,” he added. He noted that the vehicles will help the Transport Authority to maintain a high visibility in the town centres, cities and at various hotspots across the country. The managing director further stated that the vehicles will be used not just for operational activities but also for commuter engagement, information sharing and gathering intelligence. “I encourage our inspectors and drivers to treat these vehicles as you treat your own; let us care these vehicles. I charge you, therefore, to continue to be a beacon for the authority, continue to offer excellent service to the public, be kind to each other, and be examples for the new recruits,” Smith said. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Transport Authority, Owen Ellington, emphasised the need for the entity to procure more vehicles. “[There is] a need to build out on your mobility, and I think you need to carefully assess the requirements for patrols and presence on the road and commit to deploying a minimum number of cars with people in each of the regions that you serve,” Ellington said. Courtesy: The Gleaner
Transport Authority gets 12 new motor cars to improve monitoring of sector
Twelve motor cars have been added to the fleet of the Transport Authority, which will be used to improve the authority's capacity to monitor and regulate the public transportation sector.{{ "vehicle.jpg" | asset_url | img_tag }}Managing Director at the Transport Authority, Ralston Smith (second right), cuts the ribbon to officially hand over 12 motor vehicles during a ceremony held at the Authority’s Maxfield Avenue offices in Kingston today. Others (from left) are Board Chairman, Transport Authority, Owen Ellington; new recruit at the Authority, Melissa Duncan; and Driver, Clovis Ashmede.Managing Director of the Transport Authority, Ralston Smith, said acquisition of the vehicles represents a significant investment in the organisation's future and “symbolises our commitment to retooling our operational apparatus”. “Indeed, it is part of our effort to rebrand the Operations Division,” Smith said during the handover ceremony held at the Authority's Maxfield Avenue offices in Kingston today.He also informed that the Transport Authority is advanced in its effort of rebranding, through the establishment of a uniform committee, which is tasked with reviewing the uniform, logo and other paraphernalia for the inspectorate, coupled with a fusion of technological support to come on stream in the ensuing months. “Among them is our e-ticketing system to replace the antiquated summons system and of course, radio communication and other technological devices to support the work of the Operations Division,” Smith said. “With the cars being relatively new, we expect their impact on the environment to be very negligent in terms of carbon emission and, therefore, we are confident that they will provide a faster and more efficient means of carrying out our daily activities, both in terms of operations and investigations,” he added. He noted that the vehicles will help the Transport Authority to maintain a high visibility in the town centres, cities and at various hotspots across the country. The managing director further stated that the vehicles will be used not just for operational activities but also for commuter engagement, information sharing and gathering intelligence. “I encourage our inspectors and drivers to treat these vehicles as you treat your own; let us care these vehicles. I charge you, therefore, to continue to be a beacon for the authority, continue to offer excellent service to the public, be kind to each other, and be examples for the new recruits,” Smith said. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Transport Authority, Owen Ellington, emphasised the need for the entity to procure more vehicles. “[There is] a need to build out on your mobility, and I think you need to carefully assess the requirements for patrols and presence on the road and commit to deploying a minimum number of cars with people in each of the regions that you serve,” Ellington said. Courtesy: The Gleaner
PPV OPERATORS AWAITING TRAINING FOR PPV BADGES TO CONTACT THE TRANSPORT AUTHORITY TO COMPLETE PROCESS
Kingston, Jamaica: The Transport Authority is inviting Public Passenger Vehicle (PPV) Operators who have made application for their PPV badges and who are yet to complete training, to immediately make contact with the Authority. Managing Director of the Transport Authority, Mr. Ralston Smith is urging untrained operators to contact the Authority’s offices to verify their credentials so that they can access the platform, complete their training and receive the approval to operate PPV. Smith says that the non- wearing of PPV Badges is an offence under section 124, 126, and 127 of the Road Traffic Regulations and section 22 of the Road Traffic (Taxis and Contract Cars) Regulation and PPV operators who fail to produce the PPV Badge may be prosecuted. He also underscored the need for commuters to check for the badge as this is an indication that a PPV Operator has passed the fit and proper tests conducted by the Authority. The PPV Driver Training programme is delivered on a zero-rated, web-based application designed by Edufocal and part sponsored by the British Caribbean Insurance Company (BCIC) and includes courses on the Legislation, Customer Service and Defensive Driving. -30- Contact: Corporate Communication and Customer ServiceTransport AuthorityTelephone: 876-926-8912
