History of Public Passenger Transportation in the Kingston Metropolitan Region (KMTR)

A fifty year exclusive franchise granted by the Jamaican Government in 1954 saw the Jamaica Omnibus Services Limited as the central operator and manager of public passenger transportation in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR).  In the 1970s the company was forced to reduce its fleet of buses as a result of financial losses.  Illegal operators then sought to capitalize on the commuters' demand for a faster more convenient service.  In recognition of the danger of these illegal operations as well as the needs of the commuters, the Government took the step to legitimize these operators.  In 1984 they were offered route sub-franchises.  The Transport Authority was established in 1987 to regulate and monitor their operations.  In 1989, the government rescinded the route sub-franchise system which created a 'free-for-all' service.

 In 1992 the government initiated a return to centralised management of public passenger transportation.  The National Transport Cooperative Society was formed, however, it did not cover all existing operators.  In 1994, the Government introduced a zoning franchise system whereby three franchises were licensed to operate in the Kingston Metropolitan Region (NTCS, Conurban and Metro).  This system was not effective in meeting the needs of the commuters and so the Metropoilitan Management Transport Holdings (MMTH) was established in 1995 to develop the infrastructure to bring order to the public transportation sector.  This resulted in an exclusive licensing system operated by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) which was implemented in 1998.

 

The Transport Authority

The Transport Authority was established in 1987 as a statutory body by the Jamaican Government for regulating and monitoring the public transportation system in the island. The portfolio of the Authority was transferred from the Ministry of Construction to the Ministry of Public Utilities and Transport at that time. The Agency now operates under the Ministry of Transport and Works. Under the Transport Act of 1987, the Transport Authority acquired the functions formerly performed by:

1. The Licensing authority
2. The Public Passenger Transport (Corporate Area) Board of Control, and
3. The Public Passenger Transport (Rural Area) Board of Control

 

The operations of the Transport Authority are governed by:

1. The Road Traffic Act, 1938
2. The Transport Authority Act, 1987
3. The Public Passenger Transport Regulations and Acts (Rural & Corporate Area)