The Transport Authority is issuing a stern warning to the Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO) to discontinue the programme to regularise 'loader men/women' as park assistants as it is illegal.

The Transport Authority's review of the programme being implemented by JATOO suggests that the imposition of loader men and women on the commuting public may be viewed as a violation of commuters' constitutional right to freedom of movement in travelling and selecting their mode of public transportation.

Very concerned

Further, the authority is very concerned that JATOO proceeded to implement this programme in spite of the fact that they were advised by the Transport Authority, in a meeting (prior to the implementation on January 12, 2015), that such a scheme is illegal and could pose a serious risk or threat to public order and public safety.

Meanwhile, the Transport Authority is refusing to recognise, associate with or accommodate any public transportation association which violates the laws of Jamaica and regulations and will with immediate effect, discontinue recognition of JATOO.

Illegal

The Transport Authority, as the regulatory and monitoring body for public land transportation, continues to implement road operations to restore and maintain order in the public transportation system with the most recently concluded operation in Half-Way Tree and environs reaping immense success.

The operation dubbed Operation Restore Order was concluded on January 16, 2015 and resulted in 370 summonses being served on violators, 43 pairs of registration plates removed, 57 vehicles seized for illegal operations and the tint removed from four vehicles.