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Transport Minister Daryl Vaz recommended an “immediate ban” on ride-sharing services, which he said raised serious safety concerns among the public.
“As a minister and an elected representative, it is my duty to protect the lives of people. I am willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that this ban takes effect immediately,” Vaz said while speaking during a departmental debate in parliament yesterday.
He noted that his proposal would have to undergo legal review, but insisted he wanted an “immediate” ban on ride-sharing apps until the government and players in the transportation industry could work out “how to regulate these apps to ensure driver safety and background checks.” Police and transportation authorities would be responsible for that.
Ridesharing relies on independent car owners who sign contracts with ride-hailing companies. The service is technology-based, with taxi rentals done through apps.
Currently, UBER and InDrive offer ride-sharing services in Jamaica.
Used for criminal activities
Vaz pointed to the discovery on Monday of a body believed to be that of missing elementary school teacher Danielle Anglin, saying it was “one of several cases police have of ride-sharing apps being used for criminal activity.”
Senior Cabinet ministers told MPs yesterday that the Government recognised the growing popularity of using technology to deliver personal transport services.
Vaz pointed out that the government is not against the service and believes that ride-sharing services must operate within the law. He said the government has reached out to ride-hailing service providers both domestically and abroad to streamline their operations within the regulatory regime.
Vaz revealed that the only overseas service provider that has expressed its willingness to operate within the legal framework is UBER.
He said the transportation authority will meet with ride-sharing entities this week to discuss the proposed regulatory framework.
**Undercut**
“I would also like to point out that in addition to the government’s concerns about security in this environment, there are also issues related to low-price competition, which has an impact on tourism and the overall economy, and there are threats of money laundering and terrorism,” Vaz said.
The transport minister also revealed he had received a letter from a senior police officer regarding the use of ride-sharing services.
In the letter, The GleanersDeputy Commissioner of Police Fitzbailey stressed that police have been aware that some unregulated transport services are soliciting passengers and drivers through apps that can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple Store.
Bailey highlighted safety concerns, saying some transportation services companies are not screening drivers when hiring them, posing a risk to the public. In some cases, he said, drivers may have criminal backgrounds and potential customers are hired by transportation services companies that do not have insurance coverage.
In his letter, Bailey recommended an immediate ban on all unregulated ride-sharing transportation services, indicating he wants them to be regulated by the Department of Transportation.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has written to Stephen Price, vice president and general manager of Eastern Telegraph Jamaica, urging the company to immediately “restrict access to all ride-hailing apps over its network within Jamaica”.
The directive will first be effective for one year or until a regulatory regime for the use of ride-hailing apps and services is established, the transport ministry said.
Brian Thelwell, president of Jamaica Co-operative Cars and Limousines (JCAL), and Simon Lawrence, president of the Montego Bay Travellers Association of Jamaica, said in a joint statement yesterday. The Gleaners They are pleased that the government is finally taking action to restrict apps operating in the public transport sector until they comply with local legal and regulatory frameworks.
“We have been advocating for this and we believe that after due diligence the minister has seen the merits of the arguments we have put forward,” the transport operator said.
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