Lynford Simpson, Staff Reporter
Phillips
IT WILL not be mandatory for taxi operators in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR), to put meters in their cabs until the Ministry of Transport and Works undertakes a "single rationalisation of the public transport sector".
"Included in that rationaliation is any form of transportation that the public can choose," retired Commander John McFarlane, Transport Authority boss, told The Gleaner yesterday.
He explained that with the bus being the most popular choice of transportation, Dr. Peter Phillips, Transport and Works Minister, had decided to time the take-over of the remaining two bus franchises in the KMTR, with the taxi- metering process.
That is really what the intention is, not that it is on hold indefinitely," Cmdr. McFarlane said. He pointed out that it was also a question of him (Dr. Phillips) making a determination as to the balance of the number of metered taxis as against the number of buses.
The Transport Authority has provided the ministry with information that was being studied and from which a decision will be made.
Cmdr McFarlane who was responding to questions from The Gleaner regarding the fact that some taxi companies are already using meters. He said that once popular, the use of meters began to decline in the late 1960s, giving rise to a rapid increase in the use of unmetered taxis.
Current laws recognise both metered and unmetered taxis. "Any taxi that has a meter is legal, there is no two ways about it. What is happening is that the changes being made in the law will see us doing away with unmetered taxis in the Corporate Area," he said.
Three companies are now licensed to supply meters having met standards set by the Bureau of Standards; a fourth is being considered.
