The Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport is well-advanced in reimplementing an aged vehicle policy to facilitate the importation of 10-year-old cars and 15 to 20-year-old buses for use in the public transportation sector.

Portfolio Minister, Daryl Vaz, said this will aid public passenger vehicle (PPV) operators in replenishing their fleets.

“This… will allow PPV operators to benefit directly by ordering the vehicles directly from overseas, importing the vehicles through a registered dealer or buying the vehicle off a lot from a pre-authorised dealer,” he explained.

Vaz, who was addressing the Ministry’s press conference at the Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre in St Andrew on Tuesday, March 4, noted that the fleet of PPV’s now in operation comprises aged units, with more than 90 per cent being over 15 years old.

“The expansion of the age limit for imported vehicles will broaden the affordable options for PPV operators while not compromising safety, as confirmed by the Island Traffic Authority (ITA),” he said.

Vaz indicated that a new Cabinet submission is being drafted and will be presented next week.