Taxi groups say they are waiting to hear from the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (P-STEB) over whether or not there would be a stay on warrants for transport operators with outstanding traffic tickets, at least until early next year.
The taxi groups have been in a series of meetings, over concern that colleagues have had their driver’s licenses revoked when attempting to settle outstanding tickets at the courts.
The settling of arrears stemmed from a recent announcement by the Government that motorists with outstanding tickets will have up to February 1, next year to pay the fines to prevent demerit points from being accrued on their licenses, with the implementation of the new Road Traffic Act.
However, some taxi operators have now refrained from paying the fines to prevent the loss of licenses.
In the latest meeting yesterday (December 20), members of the Transport Operators Development Sustainability Services (TODSS) and the Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO) met with Justice Minister, Delroy Chuck for a suitable solution.
TODSS President, Egeton Newman described the meeting as fruitful.
He is hoping that a stay on warrants will be implemented until legislative arrangements can be made early next year to prevent operators’ licenses from being revoked in the courts.
Mr. Newman also called on taxi operators to refrain from flouting the rules of the road as they try to make a living.