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KINGSTON, Jamaica—A consensus has been reached by the Public Transport Operators Steering Committee and transport stakeholders that will see a delay in the October 1, 2026 implementation of the demerit point system until a full revision is completed. The revision is expected to incorporate recommendations from the committee as well as the roll out of an education programme.
This was announced by the Transport Authority in a press release Friday evening, following a meeting between the Public Transport Operators Steering Committee and transport stakeholders.
On the request of Transport Minister Daryl Vaz the meeting was convened to review the traffic ticketing demerit points as well as other concerns of the sector.
According to the press release, the committee reviewed the earlier recommendations that were previously submitted to the minister on the demerit points system.
“At the end of the meeting all stakeholders expressed satisfaction at the extensive work done on the demerit points system and lauded the plans for the parking solutions for the PPV (public passenger vehicles) operators within the KMTR, inter alia,” the authority said.
Present at the meeting were Marisa Dalrymple, state minister in the Ministry of Justice and Constitution Reform, representatives from the Transport Authority headed by the Chairman, Col (ret’d) Dillon Lobban, and Managing Director, Ralston Smith, officials from Island Traffic Authority, the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS), One Voice and National Council of Taxi Association (NCOTA), All Voice.
The Transport Authority said the committee reviewed the earlier recommendations that were previously submitted to Vaz on the demerit points system.
“Minister Dalrymple agreed that the implementation date will not come into effect until a full revision of the demerit points system is completed, which is expected to incorporate recommendations from the committee as well as the roll out of an education programme,” the authority said.
Egerton Newman, president of the Transport Operators Development and Sustainable Services (TODSS) reportedly lauded the consultation as timely, comprehensive and informative, noting that it provided the sector with a clear understanding of the processes involved in implementing the Road Traffic Act.
He also reportedly underscored his appreciation that the process would not be completed overnight and, in light of this, assured the public that any plans for a shutdown of the sector are off the table. He said commuters can therefore look forward to a smooth reopening of the school year.
He further stated that the sector is pledging its continued support to the Government and the people of Jamaica, with a commitment to providing a safe, secure and reliable transportation system while the review process continues.
The authority said the Public Transport Operators Steering Committee continues to work assiduously to complete the review process and submit its final recommendations to Vaz for consideration.
