Seven Hackney Carriage operators prosecuted for breaching road licence

 

Seven Hackney Carriage operators were prosecuted for operating contrary to their road licence this week during operations conducted by the Transport Authority on Red Hills Road in St. Andrew.

 

The operations were conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

Ronald Anderson, General Manager in charge of operations at the Transport Authority, says operations have also been conducted in Papine and New Kingston. 

 

"What has been happening is these operators have been operating like they are a route taxi, that means they pick up passengers for different fares at different stage (sic). This operation basically was to take prosecution against those persons and, [at] the same time, we use the opportunity to sensitise the commuting public that this is not how they are to utilise the service of these taxis," he said. 

 

He is appealing to passengers to give statements to the authorities for successful prosecution of offending taxi operators.

 

The Transport Authority said it has been conducting covert operations islandwide alongside the police following complaints that some taxi operators have been collecting more than the 15 per cent fare adjustment granted in August last year. 

 

However, Mr. Anderson, disclosed that the complaints have been against Hackney Carriage Operators who can only be charged for operating contrary to their licence.

 

Mr. Anderson told Radio Jamaica News that only route and stage carriage operators can be charged with overcharging.

 

He said the Transport Authority has not received complaints against those operators.