KINGSTON, Jamaica — A technical team from the Ministry of Transport and Mining is to review alternative proposals to amendments in the Road Traffic Act, following a meeting with the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS) and the Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO).

The ministry, in a release today, said Minister of Transport and Mining, Robert Montague met with two taxi associations at the ministry’s Maxfield Avenue office yesterday.

Montague reportedly agreed to have the technical team review the proposals, stating that they are subject to the consideration of all committees involved.

This, the ministry noted, was in light of a letter from the associations to the Houses of Parliament suggesting that the current proposals are not viable. Of particular concern was the ticketing of the owners of motor vehicles which breach the road code.

“The minister, along with his technical team from the transport ministry, used the opportunity to clarify that the Bill proposes the use of photo enforcement cameras to capture violations in the absence of an officer of the law, where the driver cannot be identified. Only then will the ticket will be sent to the registered owner of that vehicle,” the ministry outlined.

It said the officials further clarified that these measures are part of the Government of Jamaica’s efforts to protect all road users, and not to hinder the business of taxi operators.

The associations agreed and committed to support measures by the government to purge the public transportation sector of the irresponsible members of the industry, the ministry said.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Alternative_proposals_to_Road_Traffic_Act_amendments_to_be_reviewed