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Close watch on PPV drivers - Registration with electronic system mandatory

Published:Sunday | October 13, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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Senior Superintendent of Police Radcliffe Lewis shows the number of outstanding traffic tickets one motorist has during last year's amnesty. With the new system, it should be impossible for PPV drivers to rack up multiple tickets without being caught.-File
Drivers of taxis, such as these, are required to register with the new system by October 28.-File
Sophia Campbell, president of the Route Taxi Association of Jamaica.-Photo by Chad Bryan
Dr Morais Guy, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing.-Photo by Chad Bryan
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Chad Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Concerned about the calibre of bus and taxi drivers in Jamaica, the Public Passenger Vehicle Modernisation Council (PPVMC) has embarked on a strategic drive to regularise them. This is being done through a new management information system, Driving History Information (DHI). It will be administered through the Public Transport Management System (PTMS).

The system, officially launched on Thursday at the Hotel Four Seasons, 18 Ruthven Road, New Kingston, is a partnership between PPVMC and AlyJaz Business Solutions. The DHI system will be implemented on October 28.

PPV drivers are being asked to register at centres where the PTMS is available. The technology, geared at ascertaining background checks for all drivers in the sector, will screen them to determine their employment eligibility.

"With the implementation of the DHI come October 28, 2013, a giant step will be taken as every single operator in the PPV sector will be required to get their driving history information check done," said president of the Route Taxi Association of Jamaica (RTAJ), Sophia Campbell.

CAN'T BEAT THIS SYSTEM

"An operator cannot beat this new system, so I am encouraging all my fellow drivers out there to come in on the date of implementation and get registered, get your driving information check done," Campbell said.

The programme is designed to weed out unscrupulous, careless and reckless drivers, particularly those with poor driving histories and criminal records. The police will also be able to check the driver's history via smartphones and apply appropriate sanctions.

The data on the system will be protected and only registration centres and approved associations will be permitted to enter owner, driver and vehicle information in order to maintain the system's integrity and accuracy.

Minister without portfolio in the Transport, Works and Housing Ministry and guest speaker of the launch, Dr Morais Guy, lauded the programme. He also pointed to impending legislation designed to transform the transport sector.

"Legislatively, the ministry is moving apace with the finalisation of a new Road Traffic Bill, which will overhaul the current road code and further empower our agencies and the police to effectively deal with those who continue to show scant regard for the rules of the road," the minister said.

"The bill is to be submitted to the legislative sub-committee of Cabinet before the end of this month. We will maintain our pledge to have a modern, robust Road Traffic Act by April next year," he said.

The PPVMC was conceptualised and formed by major umbrella taxi organisations - the Route Taxi Association of Jamaica, National Council of Taxi Associations, and the Jamaica Hackney Carriage Association.