By Latonya Linton
KINGSTON, JAMAICA, (JIS) – Minister of science, energy, telecommunications and transport, Daryl Vaz, says he is recommending a ban on ride-sharing apps in the country with immediate effect, while making his contribution to the 2024 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday June 4, 2024.
The move comes a day after the discovery of a body believed to be that of missing teacher, Danielle Anglin. It was reported that Miss Anglin had chartered a cab via a ride-sharing app from her home in Hellshire, St Catherine, on the day she went missing. The suspect was previously arrested on sexual assault charges.
“I want to indicate that my recommendation as of today, which will obviously have to be vetted for legal purposes, is a ban on all of those ride-sharing apps with immediate effect, until such time as we can come to the table and work out properly how these apps will be regulated,” minister Vaz said, that measures will have to be put in place “in terms of making sure that safety and background checks of the drivers are done not only by the ride-share apps but also by the Jamaican authorities, whether the police or the Transport Authority.”
Minister Vaz noted that the case involving Miss Anglin is just one of many the police have as evidence that these ride-share apps have been used for criminal activities.
“So, with a letter from the police to the minister, I have a responsibility to act,” he told the House. “I make no apologies. I have a responsibility as a minister and an elected representative to protect the lives of the people, and I am saying to you I am prepared to go the end of the world to make sure that that ban is enforced immediately,” he said. “I will do everything to make sure that whatever is in the way, we clear it until such time we have a proper regulated formula to introduce it,” he pledged.
Minister Vaz said the government is aware of the increasing popularity in the use of technology to engage personal transportation services and is not opposed to the measure. He noted, however, that the government is “adamant that ride-hailing services must operate within the ambit of the law.”
“We have sought to engage with ride-hailing providers both locally and internationally to streamline their operations within the regulatory regime. I want to publicly state that the only overseas provider that has indicated their willingness to operate within the legal framework is Uber. I summoned them, and they came to sit down with me and the team, and the bottom line is that it is a useful discussion that continues,” minister Vaz informed the House, that the Transport Authority will be meeting with local ride-hailing entities this week in this regard, while adding that “InDrive remains outstanding”.
Minister Vaz pointed out, further, that in addition to concerns about safety and security, there is the issue of the ride-share services undercutting the market by charging lower fares.
“I took a submission to cabinet three weeks ago to discuss this very matter because of complaints I was getting from commuters and also from industry players who are playing by the rules and pay their fees for their licence, and these apps are undercutting them in fare, without any form of background checks and no form of monitoring by the Transport Authority,” minister Vaz added.
The minister further cited the impact on tourism, the economy in general and the threat of issues such as money laundering and terrorism.
“I want to indicate very clearly that I have today written to both telecom providers on a letter from the assistant commissioner of police, indicating the concerns for national safety of our citizens,” minister Vaz said.
