Kingston,
Jamaica- April 15, 2025: The Transport Authority says it has been brought
to its attention that some Public Passenger Vehicle (PPV) Operators have increased
their fares and/or are overcharging passengers who use their services across
the island.
The
Authority wishes to advise the public that there has been no authorised fare
increase at this time and is warning operators involved in this practice to
desist immediately.
Managing Director of the
Transport Authority, Mr. Ralston Smith is reminding PPV Operators that charging commuters more than the approved fare
is illegal, and is warning that the Authority will step up enforcement against
this practice. He is cautioning that Operators
found guilty of this offence will be prosecuted under regulation 129 (d) of the
Road Traffic Regulations and may be fined up to $100,000.00 under section
107(3) of the Road Traffic Act, if convicted for the offence.
The Authority is urging
commuters who experience acts of overcharging to call 876 618-0859 or WhatsApp
images or videos to 876-551-8196 or
876 279-8515. Complaints about overcharging should include the licence plate
numbers, the routes for the vehicles or the location of the incident. Commuters
may also download the Drive Safe Jamaica
and Travel Pal apps from the Google Play or App stores and submit
images, videos or complaints on these portals.
In the meantime, the
commuting public is reminded that one of the dangers of using unlicenced public
passenger vehicles and Hackney Carriages operating as route taxis, is that
operators often charge exorbitant/unapproved fares. The Authority is therefore
urging the commuting public to use licenced public transport vehicles which
display red public passenger vehicle
plates and the light blue Transport
Authority sticker on the windshield with expiration dates of 2026 and beyond.
-30-
Contact:
Corporate Communications Department
Tel: (876) 618-0859/277-9671
