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Part 2: Public Transportation Sector Cannot Survive On One Foot – To Achieve Vision 2030 For The Public Transportation Sector A New Business Model Is Needed Now…NTAG

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Part 2 Public Transportation Sector Cannot Survive On One Foot!

NTAG takes the firm position that the public transportation sector cannot survive on one foot! i.e. passenger fares. This as one means it will always need support to stand-up strong and independent.

NTAG’s view and a key feature of its Vision 2030 plan is that the public transportation sector can survive on two feet! One that combines the opportunity to derive income from passenger fares and courier services. According to NTAG multiple revenue streams will allow for a more profitable transportation sector, and relieve it of the need to frequently seek and require government support to stand-up strong and independent.

“A taxi owner is a business operator, so in applying for the fare increase the operators submitted their income and expenditure statements, which indicate they are operating at a loss. Bear in mind all our overhead expenses are pegged to the US dollar, and I don’t need to tell you about the devaluation of our dollar right now. Every single week we go to the pumps we pay an increase in fuel costs. We have to fit [fitness certification] our vehicles twice per year, unlike a private vehicle operator who only has to do it once per year. We have to do it twice to ensure our vehicle is fit and roadworthy to carry passengers. Our insurance costs triple or sometimes quadruple what private insurers pay. Where do we get the money from to pay for all these expenses? We have to service our vehicles regularly. Where do we get the money? It’s the fare that we charge, that is our income, that is our revenue.”
Sophia Campbell Head Route Taxi Association of Jamaica

Importantly, and a point which should be of significant interest to the Minister of Transport and the Minister of finance is NTAG’s argument that this will alleviate the frequent calls for fare increases. With the opportunity for increased income from multiple revenue streams from Rides and Delivery services, calls for fare increases can be tempered or even eliminated, removing the political pressure. This political pressure to fix and control fares is at the core of the problem plaguing the sector NTAG argues.

“Meanwhile, taxi operators, who it is said are providing the subsidy that the Government fails to in order to better meet the demands of its creditors, are clamouring for a fare increase. Enter Uber and the competition has tightened. But the Government is in a deep dark hole of policy failure. Any massive increase in bus and taxi fares will bring undue additional hardships on poor people, cause the “independent” Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) to miss its inflation target, be damaging to the economy, could result in social unrest, and could be politically disastrous. Taxi drivers knowing that badness pays are flexing their muscles.”
Audley Rodriques has served as Jamaican ambassador to South Africa, Kuwait, and Venezuela.
https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/inequality-and-the-public-transportation-system/

The introduction of technology to better manage underutilized space and capacity to increase income and efficiency can yield significant national and individual financial benefits, resulting in lower prices to the Jamaican people the NTAG plan argues.

The NTAG plan also points out that the public transportation sector can play a far more significant and strategic role in the economic and commercial development of Jamaica, and is grossly underutilised asset. The public transportation sector, NTAG argues, can accelerate economic development by offering same day delivery to homes and places of business, allowing brick and mortar stores and ecommerce websites to offer this service to their customers. This has the effect of reducing the cost of delivery, resulting in lower prices of goods and services.

The NTAG 2030 National Transportation Business Model seeks to incorporate and integrate into a national logistics transportation and delivery solution.

The public transportation sector can be easily integrated into what NTAG describes as the RedPlate National Logistics Transportation and Delivery Solution, capitalizing on the vast amounts of underutilized space and capacity in both public transportation and commercial vehicles, allowing for more diverse income streams, that are more profitable than even carrying passengers.

The proposed RedPlate National Logistics Transportation and Delivery Solution incorporates all forms of public and commercial transportation including Rural Stage Carriages/Urban Stage Carriages/ Route Taxis/ Express Carriages/ Hackney / Contract Carriages & Commercial Carriage (green plates).

The RedPlate National Logistics Transportation and Delivery Solution will be operating through Five (5) Main Connection Hubs located in Kingston, Ocho Rios, Mandeville, Savanna-La-Mar and Montego Bay with daily time scheduled routes. Members of the public and business owners operating online or offline will have the opportunity to offer same delivery to anywhere in the island based on set departure and estimated arrival times.

The service will also operate through strategic pickup and drop off locations such as Service Stations on main roads, which may be farther from town centers, providing other RedPlate Rides with connecting revenue opportunities.

According to NTAG multiple revenue streams will allow for a more profitable transportation sector, and relieve it of the need to frequently seek and require government support to stand-up strong and independent.

The National Transportation Alliance Group Limited (NTAG) is already in advanced discussions with the Transport Authority for a special operating license to allow both Hackney and Route taxis to formally and legally carry third party packages and cargo. This is not currently allowed under the current licence arrangements.
Access to these updated or new licensees to allow for this multiple revenue streams, supported by changes in Government policy will be required immediately.

Part 3: The Key Stakeholders Required To Make This Plan Work

Part 3: The Jamaican People Deserves Better – To Achieve Vision 2030 For The Public Transportation Sector A New Business Model Is Needed Now…NTAG

Part 1: Fish or Fowl – When It Comes To Fare Fixing, Are We In The Public Or Private Sector? – To Achieve Vision 2030 For The Public Transportation Sector A New Business Model Is Needed Now…NTAG

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GOV’T Remains Committed to Facilitating an Enabling Investment Environment

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GOV’T Remains Committed to Facilitating an Enabling Investment Environment
Photo: Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness right) speaks with designer, Vintage Chic, Shanna Campbell about her handmade pieces, during the opening ceremony for Expo Jamaica 2025 at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St. Andrew on April 3.

 

GOV’T Remains Committed to Facilitating an Enabling Investment Environment
Photo: Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness left), samples a coffee carrot ginger brew from Beyond 5 Beverages given to him Managing Director of the company, Damain Drummond right) during the opening ceremony for Expo Jamaica 2025, at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St. Andrew on April 3.

 

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness has committed to ensuring that the policies and initiatives of the Government remain aligned with entrepreneurs, thereby creating an enabling environment that fosters investment. “To our manufacturers and exporters… your effort represents the heart of our economic progress, your resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial courage has carried Brand Jamaica to every corner of the globe.

“As Prime Minister, I commit to ensuring our policies and initiatives remain aligned with your ambitions, creating an enabling environment that fosters investment, innovation and global competitiveness. Together we will strengthen our local economy and solidify Jamaica’s position on the international stage,” Dr. Holness said.

The Prime Minister was speaking during the opening ceremony for Expo Jamaica 2025 at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St. Andrew on April 3.

Dr. Holness said Expo Jamaica is a vivid showcase of Jamaica’s boundless potential, “so as we advance global partnerships and create impactful local results, let us reaffirm our collective determination to build a prosperous, productive Jamaica that leaves no one behind”.

“Expo Jamaica exemplifies how far Jamaica has come. Over 250 exhibitors showcasing more than 5000 products and services alongside 884 registered local and international buyers from 25 countries. This clearly reflects Jamaica’s growing global influence and appeal,” he said.

He added that the event has grown tremendously, now standing as the largest trade exhibition in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Meanwhile, Dr. Holness said Jamaica today boasts its strongest economy since independence.

“Whether you measure Jamaica’s economic performance and stability by the unemployment rate, the inflation rate, the debt-to-GDP (gross domestic product) ratio or Net International Reserves (NIR), by every critical metric, our economy undeniable demonstrates economic stability and resilience,” he said.

He added that growth is another central pillar to economic stability and resilience.

“For Jamaica to realise its fullest potential, our growth rate must accelerate from one to two percent towards a more ambitious target of four to five per cent. Central to achieving this are initiatives which this Government has launched, and we call them ASPIRE, that is our comprehensive growth strategy,” he said.

ASPIRE stands for: Access to Economic Opportunity for All (Inclusive Growth); Safety and Security; People (Human Capital Development); Infrastructure Development; Reform of the Bureaucracy (Ease, Speed, and Cost of Doing Business); Economic Diversification/New Industries.

He further added that inclusivity and equity are paramount to the Government’s growth agenda.

Meanwhile, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill said the administration continues to position Jamaica as an investment destination for financial services, logistics, skilled labour, high value services and premium products.

“This expo is Jamaica’s open invitation to the world… The Andrew Holness administration has made it our mission to make Jamaica a very attractive place in this region in which to do business. Our macroeconomic numbers tell a clear story,” he said

Other speakers at the function included President, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Shullette Cox, and Chairman, Expo Jamaica, Aswad Morgan.

This year’s event is being held from Thursday (April 3) to Sunday (April 6) at the National Arena and the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston.

The four-day tradeshow, under the theme ‘Global Partnership, Local Impact: Advancing Jamaica’s Reach’, is organised by the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association Limited (JMEA) and JAMPRO.

By: CHRIS PATTERSON, JIS

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Jamaica Open For High-Value Agricultural Investments – Minister Green

“Now is the time for high-value agricultural investment, right here in Jamaica. Things that we produce in Jamaica are sought after all over the world. As such, we do believe there are significant opportunities now in agro processing,” Mr. Green said.

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Jamaica is being touted as a prime destination for high-value agricultural investments.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, highlighted that the country is at a pivotal stage in its transformation, pointing out that the Ministry’s key objectives are to drive investment, expand trade, and strengthen food security.

“To achieve this objective, the nation must collaborate with its international partners,” he told members of the Diplomatic Corps on Wednesday (March 12).

Minister Green said Jamaica, having seen a declining debt-to-GDP ratio and myriad other positive economic outcomes in recent years, is well positioned to take advantage of global opportunities.

He was speaking during a Ministerial Briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in downtown Kingston, which formed part of activities marking Diplomatic Week 2025.

Mr. Green said while Jamaica currently benefits from several trade arrangements with its regional partners, the Government wants to expand the global footprint in trade and investment.

“What we want to see from my Ministry’s perspective [is] how we can leverage these arrangements to do much more. As such, we want to work with you (the diplomatic corps) to drive trade expansion, to reduce market barriers and to facilitate direct connections with importers and distributors so that we can expand our exports,” the Minister outlined.

He added that there are significant investment opportunities and win-win proposals for Jamaica and its partners.

“Now is the time for high-value agricultural investment, right here in Jamaica. Things that we produce in Jamaica are sought after all over the world. As such, we do believe there are significant opportunities now in agro processing,” Mr. Green said.

The Minister emphasised that one area now ripe for investments is orchard crop farming.

“We do have land available for investment in orchard crops. In fact, we’ve developed our first ever mango orchard, or mango agro park, where we invite private-sector investors to come in and establish 50-acre blocks of mango farms. That is going well. In fact, we’ve already established about 200 acres. We want to establish another 300 acres in this financial year,” the Minister outlined.

Mr. Green also touted opportunities in livestock farming and the dairy industry, noting that Jamaica is looking to leverage partnerships in this area.

“We want to facilitate greater bilateral discussions between you and your home countries with Jamaica’s agricultural sector around investment… around connecting investors with local projects that can accelerate economic growth,” he told the diplomats.

Mr. Green pointed out that Jamaica’s collaboration with its international partners has been instrumental in advancing the nation’s economic agenda.

By: Donique Weston, JIS

Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson

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