Transport and Finance ministers convene urgent meeting for today with taxi operators 

Durrant Pate/Contributor

A coordinated nationwide taxi strike for this morning has been averted following a high-level intervention by the government overnight to defuse the strike threat and disruption to the public transport system.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz and Finance Minister Fayval Williams have called an urgent meeting with Public Passenger Vehicle (PPV) operators to address outstanding fare increases and the rising cost of living for them due to not having the second phase of the fare increase implemented. As a result, the taxi operators have called off their planned protest to facilitate the meeting, which will be held at the Transport Centre in Half-Way-Tree, St. Andrew.

Representatives of the Transport Authority and individual public transport sector groups are to be in attendance at the meeting, which will be addressed by both Cabinet Ministers. The standoff primarily involved ongoing demands for public transport fare adjustments due to rising global fuel costs. 

Reasons for the standoff

Commuters can proceed with their regular travel plans, as the immediate threat of nationwide disruptions has been suspended in favour of continued dialogue. The Government approved a 35% fare increase in October 2023, implementing a 19% hike at that time, but the remaining 16%, which was due in April 2024, was deferred amidst broader economic concerns. 

This has been fuelling discontent with the tax operators, particularly given rising fuel prices and the cost of living skyrocketing. 

“The Government is sensitive to challenges facing members of the public who have been trying to cope with price adjustments caused by developments across the globe,” Minister Daryl Vaz explained, saying, ”We are also aware of and appreciate the concerns of public transport operators who have been expectant of a fare increase for some time now and are also now facing the burden of increased fuel costs.” 

In a circular by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the High Command noted receiving information that there will be a strike by PPV Operators (today) May 18, 2026.”

The High Command highlighted the anticipation of potential attempts by some to disrupt traffic as part of such activities. While such an organised activity by the respective PPV representative bodies has not been publicly announced, the High Command says there have been talks about unease around the topic of fare increase in recent times.