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Transport Authority Celebrating 38 Years
MEDIA STATEMENT: TRANSPORT AUTHORITY LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO INCIDENT INVOLVING FEMALE STUDENT ON BUS
Kingston, Jamaica – April 28, 2026: The Transport Authority is aware of a video currently circulating on social media which is alleged to show an incident involving a student on a public passenger vehicle. At this time, the Authority has not independently verified the authenticity, circumstances, or full context of the video. However, the matter is being treated seriously and has been referred to the relevant teams for review and investigation. Where appropriate, the Authority will engage the relevant stakeholders and, if necessary, the appropriate law enforcement agencies to determine the facts surrounding the matter. The Authority remains committed to empowering commuters and continues to advance its public education and engagement initiatives to ensure commuters know how they can be protected from incidents of this nature. In this regard, the Authority will continue hosting its Inspector–Commuter Engagement Days islandwide which aims at Moving People and M-Powering Lives. The Authority reiterates that all Public Passenger Vehicle (PPV) operators are expected to maintain the highest standards of safety, order, and respect for all commuters at all times. Operators are also reminded that they are entrusted with the safety and dignity of passengers and are expected to uphold professional conduct in the execution of their duties. Members of the public are encouraged to report any concerns or alleged infractions using the Authority’s official WhatsApp channels at 876-551-8196 or 876-926-8912.
TRANSPORT AUTHORITY STARTS 2026/2027 LICENSING PERIOD ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2026
KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JANUARY 29, 2026: Effective Sunday, February 1, 2026 the Transport Authority will begin accepting applications for all categories of Public Passenger Vehicles (PPV) and Commercial Carriers for the 2026–2027 Licensing Period.The Authority says that the February 1 start date is designed to allow for the timely submission and processing of road licences that are set to expire on March 31, 2026. Customers are encouraged to utilize the Authority’s online platform at www.ta.org.jm, available 24 hours daily, for application submissions.Managing Director Ralston Smith says that, as part of the Authority’s commitment to improving efficiency and service delivery, this year the licence stickers will NO LONGER be issued. Instead, once an application is submitted, the road licence document will be emailed to customers within seven (7) working days for regular service, and 1 to 3 working days for express service.The online portal supports applications for the following categories:• New and renewal Contract Carriage • New and renewal Express Carriage • Renewals Hackney Carriage • New and renewal of Private and Public Commercial Carriers Notably, Route Taxi licence applications will continue to be processed through the respective Taxi Associations.Additionally, Smith says the Authority is rolling out the Vehicle Examination Module (VEM) of its Licensing platform, which allows for electronic examination of motor vehicles with picture of vehicles instantly uploaded to the system and a copy emailed to customers. This ensures a seamless integration between inspection and licence processing. The Authority has been facilitating motor vehicle examinations for public transportation operators since January 12, 2026, as part of this early application initiative.In the meantime, the Authority has installed online kiosks at its offices to support customers who are unable to access the online portal. These kiosks will be supported by customer service agents to guide users through the online process.The Transport Authority is encouraging all customers to “take the digital journey” by applying online, as the process is more convenient and eliminates the need to wait in long office lines. Licensees are also urged to renew their road licences before March 31 to avoid late fees and penalties.-30- Contact:Corporate Communications and Customer Service Transport Authority876-926-8912/876-275-5919
STATEMENT: Transport Authority Responds to Incident Involving Employee
The Transport Authority is aware of a video currently circulating on social media depicting an employee drawing a firearm during a road operation. An internal investigation into the matter has been immediately initiated. The Authority wishes to unequivocally state that this type of conduct does not form any part of its training protocols and is not aligned with its Standard Operating Procedures or Public Interaction Policy. As part of the ongoing investigation, the officer involved has been removed from frontline duties with immediate effect. The Transport Authority is also working closely with the relevant authorities, including the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Firearm Licensing Authority, to ensure a comprehensive review of the incident. The Transport Authority continues to uphold the principles of courtesy, professionalism, good customer service, and respect for all Jamaicans, and expects all employees to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with these values. The Transport Authority assures the public that it remains committed to ensuring efficient, safe, and reliable public transportation services. -30- Contact: Corporate Communications Department Tel: 876-926-8912
