Transport Reform: charting the course to Jamaica’s prosperity

FOLLOWING MY Sectoral Budget presentation on June 2, 2020, I am submitting this update with respect to developments made within the transport sector.

Since taking office in April 2018 as the minister of transport and mining, I have proposed reform in critical areas of the transport sector that will form the basis of its evolution and continued growth. The objectives of the 16-point reform proposal are focused primarily on: 1. Road safety – Reduce the road fatalities on our roadways by promoting best practices and enforcing discipline with respect to the use of our roadways. 2.

Operational efficiency – To ensure that the systems and procedures within our agencies are modern and make good use of government resources. 3. Customer service – To ensure that the users of government services/agencies in the transport sector are presented with a hassle-free and pleasant experience.

The fundamental reforms relate to two critical areas within the sector:

1. Licensing procedures – This includes both public passenger vehicle (PPV), commercial, and private licences.

2. Regulation procedures – This includes the systems of monitoring, with appropriate penalties to ensure the maintenance of order and discipline on our roads.

In the context of the above, some significant changes have already been implemented:

1.

The implementation of regional approval of PPV licences as opposed to the central approval system (licences from all over the island had to be sent to Kingston for approval) has reduced processing times from weeks to days. 2.

A study has been commissioned at The University of the West Indies that will seek to give additional insight into the value chain involved in the public transport sector business operations, which will be used to inform important policy decisions. 3. Amended the Transport Authority Act to remove the clause that allows for the wrecking of vehicles, replacing it with a ticketing regime. This is seen as a more transparent and equitable means of applying justice. 4. Uniforms have been reintroduced and are being worn by most PPV operators to increase the professional look and feel of the sector.

Through the Transport Authority, online application for the renewal of PPV licences will be in effect for the 2019-20 licensing period, which aims to reduce the clutter at the offices of the Transport Authority, which will undoubtedly add to the level of service currently being delivered.

The above are just some of the notable achievements under the reform so far. The Ministry of Transport and Mining continues to work hard to build the foundation for a transport sector that is safe, reliable, convenient, and serves the people of Jamaica honourably.

CHANGES REQUIRED TO SAVE LIVES

A critical element of the transport sector that is in for much discussion and debate in the public sphere is the behaviour of motorists on our roads. In 2019, a shocking 438 people lost their lives due to motor vehicle crashes. This figure is way too high, not to mention those that have been maimed and suffered serious long-term injuries and have become a liability to their families and/or the State.

In the 2019 review of fatal crashes, the Road Safety Unit outlined that the main cause of fatal crashes is speeding. Many fatalities also come from motorcyclists, who, in most instances, were not wearing a helmet. The ministry has, therefore, in this regard, proposed, and will have implemented, a twinning of helmet and bike sale. In other words, you will not be able to purchase a bike without a helmet.

This is a logical policy change as surveys done by the Road Safety Unit show that one of the main reasons motorcyclists do not wear their helmet is the inability to afford one at the standard required.

Forcing the sale/distribution of helmets with bikes will at least allow for the cost of same to be accounted for in the first instance and improves the probability that the user will possess a helmet when operating his/her cycle though wearing the helmet is still an individual account.

ROAD TRAFFIC ACT REGULATIONS

The new road traffic act will bring about many necessary changes that will further help to curb the indiscipline on our roads. The regulations are currently being developed, and aspects will be rolled out on a phased basis. Powers such as the electronic ticketing system (using cameras to detect breaches) as well as increased fines for road traffic offences will serve as a deterrent to the undisciplined behaviour on our roads as it gives our law enforcers more scope to prosecute. Work is far advanced.

IMPROVED VEHICLE FITNESS PROCEDURE

Improvements have also been made to ensure that vehicles on our roads are at the required level of fitness for their operations. In times past, it was possible for vehicles to renew fitness without ever having to visit the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) depot. This practice was unacceptable, and a part of the reform programme sought to put an end to this unethical and unsafe practice.

Using geofencing technology, a vehicle must be registered (using a tablet) in a specified area of the ITA depot. So far, eight depots have been equipped with this new technology. When the vehicle is presented at the geofenced area and registered on the tablet, the examiner will conduct his analysis of the vehicle and input same in the tablet. It is then, and only then, that the fitness certificate will be generated.

CHANGE IN PROCEDURE TO OBTAIN PROVISIONAL DRIVER’S LICENCE

A second notable cause for the high number of road fatalities identified relates to the fact that operators of motor vehicles/cycles have not been sufficiently exposed to enough training and knowledge with respect to the road code and proper road usage. Therefore, further reform at the ITA, which has responsibility for the issuing of licensing is immediate and critical to saving lives.

As at January 24, 2020, a change has been made to the process of acquiring a provisional driver’s permit (learner’s licence). Prior to the stated date, all that was required for a person to obtain a learner’s licence was the ability to demonstrate literacy by reading a short paragraph and paying the necessary fees. This was woefully inadequate as many ended up on the road without a proper understanding of the road code.

The change as at the 24th of January now requires those seeking a learner’s permit to sit a road code test administered by the ITA.

Application forms and instructions as to the new procedures are now available at all examination depots, tax offices, or from the website of the Ministry of Transport and Mining at www.mtm.gov.jm and Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.

Should an applicant fail the Road Code Test, he or she will be advised by the ITA to return on an appointed date to retake the test. Until further notice, resits will be without charge to the applicant.

An applicant for a Provisional Driver’s Licence will only have to visit the ITA Examination Depot if he/she has not yet passed the Road Code Test.

These fundamental reforms are essential if we are to address the indiscipline and carnage on our roads.

FUTURE CHANGES TO GENERAL LICENCEAPPLICATION PROCESS

Further changes are to be realised in very short order with respect to the general licensing process as well. We are currently in the process of developing an automated licensing system to remove the subjectivity from the written testing that currently obtains. Currently, applicants sit a written test that is graded by an examiner/office clerk. The transparency of this process is often called into question. Therefore, an automated testing system where a tablet or similar technological aid is used to administer tests at all ITA depots will soon be installed, removing almost totally the subjectivity from such a critical process. We all must play our part.

These fundamental reforms will go a far way in improving the transport sector and saving lives on our roadways. It is easy for us to point fingers at the ‘taxi man’ as they are more visible than most sets of road users, but the truth is that we all have our part to play in ensuring that as users of the road, we are obeying the law and watching out for our fellow motorists.

As Jamaicans, we also have a duty to report those who are creating mischief on the road and have become a hazard to others. This is the reason we have established the WhatsApp line at (876) 551-8196 and have also designed and made available the Drive Safe app available in the Google play and app store, where citizens are encouraged to submit videos/images of careless and reckless driving to the Transport Authority and the police.

So far, through reports submitted by you, many road licences have been revoked, and even more warning letters have been issued. The Transport Authority has also held several meetings with motorists found to be in breach on these video submissions.

The ministry has seen the complaints, and we are acting in your favour to create a more effective sector. A sector we can all be proud of as Jamaicans, where the public transport sector is seen as a business and not a hustle, where service delivery by the various agents of the State is at an all-time high and our user experience on the road is not one of anxiety and anger, but a reflection of peace and prosperity, where we all use our roads in a safe and orderly fashion.