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Repeat PPV offenders will have their licences revoked under new law

Published:Tuesday | June 19, 2018 | 12:00 AM

The Transport Authority (TA) says operators of public passenger vehicles who are repeat offenders will face suspension and revocation of their licences under proposed tough legislation to come on stream.

Managing director of the TA, Cecil Morgan, told Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday that the Suspension and Revocation Act was now being discussed by the Licensing Committee of the Authority. He said that when this law is promulgated, it would bar persons who are habitual offenders when they attempt to renew their licences with the TA.

At yesterday's committee meeting, members of the PAC questioned why the TA did not refuse to renew the licences of operators who flagrantly breached the law, in some instances registering up to 50 repeat traffic offences, for the four-year financial years spanning 2012 to 2016.

Morgan noted that although the offences had been committed by drivers of public passenger vehicles, the operators would not escape some culpability. He said that the proposal formed part of the policy prescription being put forward by Minister of Transport Robert Montague.

At the same time, Dr Alwin Hales, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Mining, told the committee that the merger of the Island Traffic Authority and the Transport Authority was well advanced. He said that the necessary documentation had been prepared and a submission was to be made to Cabinet in the next four weeks.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com