Transport Minister Daryl Vaz is inviting public transport operators to provide input on how funds from traffic offences and speeding tickets should be allocated to address issues within the transport sector. Speaking at a virtual town hall meeting hosted by the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODDS) on Wednesday, Vaz called on operators to highlight critical gaps in the industry that require funding, beyond just national road safety.
“I am going to invite you as an association and members to give me what it is that you think are the critical issues outside of national road safety in relation to the industry and where you see the gaps that require funding,” Vaz stated, emphasizing that the funds could be utilized for various aspects of the public transportation sector, not solely for road safety.
In June, Vaz revealed that during his initial meeting with the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) as transport minister in May, he learned that funds from road traffic offences were not being shared with his ministry. Instead, the funds were allocated to the justice and national security ministries for the maintenance of courthouses and police stations, respectively.
To address this, Vaz requested that 20% of the funds from traffic fines be allocated to the transport ministry to support road safety public education campaigns. “I am determined to make sure that we have every month our piece of the pie that we can use to help to create a public transportation system that is efficient, effective, and most importantly, safe,” Vaz said. He added that if granted, this request could secure “a few hundred million dollars per year” for his ministry.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who chairs the NRSC, has instructed the creation of a revised plan for the allocation of funds from traffic tickets. Vaz mentioned that this submission is in its final stages and is expected to be presented to the Cabinet by November.
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During the town hall meeting, Vaz acknowledged that his focus had been temporarily diverted due to ongoing efforts to address post-Hurricane Beryl power restoration issues involving the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS). He noted that, with a resolution expected soon from the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), he would now dedicate more attention to his other portfolio responsibilities, including transport, science, and telecommunications.
“I want to say to you that I have been distracted but based on the news tonight where the OUR has indicated that the JPS customers will get justice in September, and I will make sure to follow that through, I am now going to spend my time again equally in all my portfolio responsibilities,” Vaz assured.
Vaz also expressed appreciation for the transport sector’s cooperation since he became minister, attributing their successful collaboration to mutual trust. “I trust you and you trust me. And you know that I am going to do whatever I can do to make sure that I improve your viability, your profitability, and all the issues that go with public transport,” he concluded.
