Ride-hailing apps reaching out after government imposes 12-month ban - Vaz

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz says some of the ride-hailing transport services that were not engaging the Government have reached out less than 24 hours after a ban for 12 months because of security concerns. 

"I am happy to say all who we couldn't find within the last month or two years have come knocking down the door to come and meet with us now because they realised that the game is over," said Vaz at the launch of Road Safety Awareness Month in Portmore, St Catherine on Wednesday. 

He did not name the entities. 

Ride-sharing or hailing involves ​travelling in a private vehicle driven by its owner, free or for a fee. The service is generally arranged using an Internet-based application or website.

Vaz, who insisted that the ban will be temporary, stressed the need for ride-sharing services to adhere to existing fare structures set by the Transport Authority.

"You can't be negotiating on an app for a fare lower than what is set by the Transport Authority; that is a recipe for disaster and chaos, and it puts the legal transport operators and transport groups at a disadvantage," he said. 

The minister assured that local apps, like 876 On The Go, which have been in contact with the Transport Authority, will see the ban issue resolved soon. 

On Tuesday, Jamaica announced a 12-month ban, with immediate effect, on ride-hailing transport services inDrive, Uber, 876OnTheGo, Lyft and Ride Jamaica because of a "national security concern".  

Vaz told the House of Representatives yesterday that he was recommending the ban.

He later released a letter dated June 4 to telecoms provider, Flow, advising that "effectively immediately", the company and its affiliates "are directed to restrict access to all ride-hailing applications via its network".

The ban covers all ride-hailing services, including inDrive, Uber, 876OnTheGo, Lyft and Ride Jamaica. 

The letter noted that the services are being used by persons "to provide transportation services without appropriate fit and proper checks and in breach of existing laws to include the Road Traffic Law Act and the Transport Authority Act". 

"The Jamaica Constabulary Force has advised that several heinous crimes to include, murder, rape, abduction and robberies, have been committed by persons who have purportedly contracted via these platforms to provide transportation services," it continued, before pointing to the "risk to the safety of citizens and residents and visitors to Jamaica," wrote Vaz, who is also in charge of telecommunications.  

Jamaica bans ride-hailing services inDrive and Uber after teacher's murder

Vaz said the directive will remain in effect for 12 months or "until a regulatory regime for the use of ride-hailing applications and services has been established". 

The ban came a day after the police said a convicted sex offender who offered the service is implicated in the murder of teacher Danielle Anglin. A body believed to be hers was found on Monday. She went missing on May 13. 

Local provider 876 On the Go has criticised the move, saying complaint companies were being punished for the actions of entities that have remained outside of the existing regulatory structures. 

- Ruddy Mathison

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