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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 RESPONDS WITH HALF A MILLION DOLLAR CHEQUE TO HELP TAXI OPERATOR PAY DAUGHTER’S MEDICAL SCHOOL TUITION
{{ "Caption 2a.JPG" | asset_url | img_tag }}(From left): Hon. Daryl Vaz - Minister of Science, Energy, Technology, Telecommunication and Transport, Peta-Gay Johnson – first Year Medical Doctor Student at the University of the West Indies, Mr. Peter Johnson – Hackney Carriage Operator in the KMTR and father, Mr. Ralston Smith – Managing Director Transport Authority, Mrs. Judith Johnson and Mr. Owen Ellington – Board Chairman, Transport Authority.KINGSTON, JAMAICA - May 8, 2025: The Transport Authority responded to the impassioned plea of a taxi operator who took his need for tuition support for his daughter who is a medical student at the University of the West Indies to the media. On Friday March 25, 2025, the Transport Authority invited Mr. Peter Johnson, a Hackney Carriage Operator, his wife, Judith and daughter, Peta-Gaye to its Corporate Office where Peta-Gaye was presented with a cheque for five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). Managing Director of the Transport Authority Mr. Ralston Smith stated that as a regulator for public land transportation the Authority also has a corporate responsibility. He said that his team was moved by Mr. Johnson’s plea for help for his daughter who is enrolled in her first year at the University. {{ "IMG_6301.JPG" | asset_url | img_tag }}From R to L: Mr. Owen Ellington - Board Chairman, Mr. Ralston Smith - Managing Director, Ms. Petra-Kene Williams - General Manager Human Resource and Administration, Mr. Michael Byrue - General Manager, Finance and Planning and Mrs. Claudine Gentles-Lewis (partially hidden). Mr. Smith added that, “we felt that it was a good move for the Transport Authority to show face and come forward as a corporate citizen”. In presenting the cheque to Peta-Gaye, Mr. Smith said, “we hope that this gesture by the Transport Authority will be a catalyst for other entities to come forward and provide some form of support.” Transport Authority Board Chairman, Mr. Owen Ellington, in adding his words of encouragement to the Johnsons, reiterated that, “we are a Regulatory Body but we do have a heart and this is a touching, deserving case and we felt that we had to do what was necessary in the quickest possible time to stand by this family and make a contribution.”Mr. Ellington further announced that as the Acting Managing Director at the Jamaica Urban Transport Company (JUTC) he will be presenting Peta-Gaye with a JUTC Premium bus pass to commute to and from school. Meanwhile, Transport Minister, the Hon. Daryl Vaz, who was present, commented that, “I want to applaud the initiative being undertaken by the Transport Authority because usually you see Corporate Jamaica intervening as part of their corporate responsibility programme and projects, but in this case the Transport Authority, under my Ministry has seen it fit to assist one of the members of the Transport Sector.” The Transport Minister stated further that, “It is moving for me because I am very strong on education and as a rural Member of Parliament, in my 18th year, I see the benefits of education and the lack of benefits without it. Wearing my parent hat and my Member of Parliament hat, even though Mr. Johnson is not a constituent of mine, I am going to match the five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) from a mentorship programme that I have in the parish of Portland.” The Johnsons expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the assistance given, especially that Peta-Gaye is now placed in a position to sit her term exams. {{ "IMG_6277.JPG" | asset_url | img_tag }}From L to R: Ms. Merdina Callum - Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Peter Johnson - Hackney Carriage Operator and Peta-Gaye Johnson- daughter.Mr. Smith concluded that he is confident that Peta-Gaye will not just make her parents and community proud, but that she will make Jamaica proud. {{ "Caption 1.JPG" | asset_url | img_tag }}From left): Hon. Daryl Vaz - Minister of Science, Energy, Technology, Telecommunication and Transport, Peta-Gay Johnson – first Year Medical Doctor Student at the University of the West Indies, Mr. Ralston Smith – Managing Director, Transport Authority and Mr. Owen Ellington – Board Chairman, Transport Authority. -30-
NNN Interview with Transport Minister and TA's Managing Director April 16, 2025
The Honourable Daryl Vaz, MP - Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport and Mr. Ralston Smith - Managing Director of the Transport Authority in discussion with Nationwide 90FM as they addressed the issue of PPV operators overcharging passengers in various sections of the island.This interview was conducted live on April 16, 2025, take a listen:https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=5ZjH3m5Z8AostidrHe7Z9KFk7Zi92P9ibaUe4IPCxg7Db9RmLNoyry#transportauthorityregulatingwithvision #Notoovercharging #Notoexploiting
Approved Route Taxi Fares for Western Jamaica
As the Agency of the Government charged with the responsibility for the regulating and moritoring of public passenger vehicles, throughout the island of Jamaica, we are commiited to the impartial enforcement of all laws; regulations and agreements relating to public transportation.Therefore, we have prepared the following lists to guide you on the approved fares to be paid on Route Taxis operating throughout Western Jamaica.Be guided. {{ "MONTEGO BAY FARE TABLE.jpg" | asset_url | img_tag }} {{ "MONTEGO BAY FARE TABLE2.jpg" | asset_url | img_tag }} {{ "MONTEGO BAY FARE TABLE3.jpg" | asset_url | img_tag }} {{ "MONTEGO BAY FARE TABLE4.jpg" | asset_url | img_tag }} {{ "MONTEGO BAY FARE TABLE5.jpg" | asset_url | img_tag }} {{ "MONTEGO BAY FARE TABLE6.jpg" | asset_url | img_tag }}#transportauthorityregulatingwithvision #Notoovercharging #Notoexploiting
