JAMAICA | Phillips Calls on Vaz to Update the Country on the Ban on Ride-Sharing Apps

KINGSTON, Jamaica. June 13, 2024: Shadow Minister of Transport and Mining, Mikael Phillips, is calling on Transport Minister Daryl Vaz, to immediately provide the country with a status report on the government’s ban on ride sharing apps, announced in Parliament over a week ago.

In a statement today, Mr. Phillips said that the update was necessary as he had received a complaint from one of the local Transport Authority-compliant companies, that it was the only one whose app had been blocked, putting it at a serious disadvantage.

The Shadow Minister said he had also independently confirmed that at least two of the overseas companies were operating normally and Jamaican commuters were still able to access the technology platforms of those ride-hailing companies for services. He said this makes a mockery of the much-vaunted government ban.

Mr. Phillips said it was of fundamental importance that the government’s policy action be implemented on a transparent basis, respectful of the rights of all companies, particularly those which were operating in accordance with Transport Authority and Road Traffic Regulations. 

He said full consideration and respect for their status was necessary for continued support of the temporary action, pending the government’s introduction of new regulations to manage the service.

The Shadow Minister said further the government could no longer delay the imperative of a fresh look at the existing transport policy and rules which govern the sector, as all stakeholders were now unhappy. 

This, he said, would only lead to continued instability and interruption of service to the public.

-30-