Brakes on ridesharing

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz has recommended an “immediate ban” on ridesharing services which he says has triggered serious safety concerns for members of the public.

“I have the responsibility as the minister and an elected representative to protect the lives of the people. I am prepared to go to the end of the world to make sure that that ban is in force immediately,” Vaz declared yesterday while making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament.

He noted that his recommendation would have to be vetted for legal purposes but insisted that he wanted to prohibit the use of the ridesharing apps with “immediate effect” until the Government and players in the transport sector can work out “how these apps will be regulated to ensure safety and background checks of drivers” by the police and Transport Authority.

Rideshare depends on independent vehicle owners who are contracted to ride-hailing companies. The service is tech-based with taxi charters done by the use of apps.

At present, UBER and InDrive offer ridesharing services in Jamaica.

USED FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

Referencing an incident where a body believed to be that of missing primary school teacher Danielle Anglin was found on Monday, Vaz indicated that “this is one of several cases where the police have evidence that these rideshare apps have been used for criminal activities”.

The senior Cabinet minister told lawmakers yesterday that the Government was aware of the increasing popularity in the use of technology to engage personal transportation services.

Noting that the Government was not opposed to the service, Vaz argued that ridesharing services must operate within the ambit of the law. He said the administration has engaged with ride-hailing providers both locally and internationally to streamline their operations within the regulatory regime.

Vaz divulged that the only overseas provider that has indicated its willingness to operate within the legal framework is UBER.

He said the Transport Authority will be meeting with ridesharing entities this week to discuss the proposed regulatory framework.

UNDERCUTTING

“I would also like to point out that, in addition to the Government’s concern about safety and security in this environment, there are issues relating to undercutting in the market where lower fares are charged and the impact on tourism, the economy in general and the threat of money laundering and terrorism,” Vaz said.

The transport minister also revealed that he received a letter from a senior police officer in relation to the use of ridesharing services.

In the letter, seen by The Gleaner, Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey highlighted that it has been brought to the attention of the police that a number of unregulated transport services are soliciting passengers and drivers via an app that can be downloaded on the Google Play Store or Apple Store.

Highlighting safety and security concerns, Bailey said some of the transport services seek drivers without screening them which poses a risk to the public. He said that, in some instances, drivers may have criminal backgrounds and the transport service engaged by the potential client is offered no protection by way of insurance coverage.

In his letter, Bailey suggested an immediate ban on all unregulated ridesharing transport services, indicating that wanted the services to be regulated by the transport ministry.

At the same time, the transport ministry has written to Stephen Price, vice president and general manager of Cable and Wireless Jamaica, urging the company to immediately “restrict access, in Jamaica, to all ride-hailing applications via its network”.

The transport ministry said the directive would remain in effect for one year, in the first instance, or until a regulatory regime for the use of ride-hailing applications and services has been established.

Brian Thelwell, president of the Jamaica Co-operative Automobile and Limousine (JCAL), and Simon Lawrence, president of the Jamaica Union of Travellers Association Montego Bay, in a joint statement yesterday, told The Gleaner they were pleased that the Government had finally taken action to restrict the apps operating in the public transport space until there is conformity to the local laws and regulatory framework.

“We have been advocating this for some time now and we believe, after due diligence, the minister has seen merits in the arguments we have postulated,” the transport operators said.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com