Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, during the 2022/23 budget debate, I advised this Honourable House that one of the initiatives under the Ministry of Transport is to focus on modernizing the local public service vehicle industry.
Mr. Speaker, this initiative aims to update the regulatory framework for public service vehicles. The project is a deliverable of the 2019 Transport Green Paper (“the Green Paper”) and will include the modernization and harmonization of public service vehicles through a phased approach over five years.
Mr. Speaker, the Green Paper identified that there are not enough public service vehicles after 5pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays to service visitors and residents, particularly at the Airport, Dockyard, St. George’s, and Front Street.
Mr. Speaker, the overarching aim is to:
• ensure a level playing field for the industry to better deal with the continuing and inevitable changes and meet customers' needs better;
• improve the public service vehicles sector to ensure improved service, customer and driver safety, and consumer protection;
• regulate the provision of a robust public service vehicles licensing system, which ensures that the public travel safely, receives a good customer service and drivers and operators are not overly burdened by unnecessary conditions; and,
• expand capacity to accommodate the needs of residents and visitors.
Mr. Speaker, Phase I, which includes consultation and feedback of key industry stakeholders, including minibuses , dispatchers, limos, and taxis, is near completion. The Ministry is currently reviewing the stakeholder responses.
This phase also includes a review of current public service vehicle legislation, policies, and procedures to ensure they are relevant, consistent, and effective and they help protect stakeholders, and users alike. Considerations are given to ensuring the sector is up to date with the latest technology and consistent with the industry's best practices.
Mr. Speaker, we are also working towards strengthening the transportation support to meet the projected increased service demands based on aforecast that predicts an increase in air, sea, and cruise passenger arrival numbers between 2024 and 2026.
Mr. Speaker, Phase 2 will focus on opportunities and options that can be made available to improve the quality of life for owners and operators of public service vehicles, generating revenue for the Government, and making it easier to enter the public service vehicle services industry.
Thank You, Mr. Speaker!