Transport Minister Daryl Vaz announced that the government will assist public passenger vehicle (PPV) operators in re-tooling and upgrading their fleets through the reintroduction of an aged vehicle policy.

This policy will permit existing PPV operators to import motor cars up to 10 years old and buses up to 20 years old for use in the sector.

During his contribution to the 2024-25 Sectoral Debate in Parliament on Tuesday (June 4), Vaz explained that a three-year lien will be placed on these vehicles by the Trade Board to ensure they are used for their intended purpose.

“In order to support the PPV sector by providing affordable and accessible loan offerings, my ministry will collaborate with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to establish a revolving loan fund for our PPV operators. I am pleased to advise that discussions are far advanced on this matter, and we should be able to make an announcement in the ensuing months,” the minister added.

Vaz also announced the introduction of 16 new routes for PPV operators.

“In collaboration with JUTC, Madam Speaker, a total of 16 new routes will be offered to the PPV sector. Five of those routes will be stage carriage routes, which will operate under a sub-franchise from the JUTC and will be for the use of coasters and minibuses only. Operating through Half-Way Tree and terminating in downtown Kingston, these routes will originate from Shortwood, Barbican, Duhaney Park, Whitehall, Havendale, and Harbour View,” he said.

The remaining 11 routes will be offered to taxi operators who have been requesting additional routes and will be distributed throughout the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region.

Meanwhile, Vaz said the Transport Authority has begun work that will allow applicants for road licences and commercial carriage licences to obtain their red plates directly, rather than first purchasing a white plate and then upgrading. This change aims to improve overall system efficiency.

“In response to numerous calls supported by an emerging niche in the PPV sector, the Transport Authority has embarked on a review of the licence categories. The intention is to introduce a new VIP licence category for the contract carriage sector. To usher in this new license type, amendments will have to be made to Section 61(5) of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Regulation 2000,” the Transport Minister said.