Is the $100,000 fine too much or just enough?
Author : teriannCan I borrow $100,000?
Okay that does sound ridiculous, after all in this day and age, finding all that money is an extreme hardship.
Well that’s the amount commuters will have to pay if they take unregulated ‘robot’ taxis in the corporate area effective April 1, 2014.
The Jamaica Urban Transit Corporation (JUTC) has announced a new system that will regulate the existing transportation system.
Effective April 1, 2014, a number of new measures will be implemented such as mandatory tickets being issued to all passengers and exclusive routes for the JUTC.
There are some positives to this move as the unregulated drop off and pick up system used by these ‘robot’ taxis and privately owned minibuses can cause traffic violations and accidents.
A number of consumers take these robot taxis and other privately owned buses because they want to get to work on time. However, if these operators do not comply with the new regulations they will be deemed illegal.
Of course the fine of $100,000 or six months imprisonment for those who continue to take the privately owned transportation who do not comply with the new regulations will to be difficult to enforce. This has led to talks about the JUTC needing its own exclusive police force.
This is a sensitive topic, and I am only sharing my concerns that if the system works then great however, if it is to succeed, everyone has to follow the rules. Under this new system everyone has this responsibility, including the drivers, bus owners, conductors and commuters.
The cost of riding public transportation will also be regularized so consumers will no longer pay whatever price that is demanded.
So private transport owners will now be required to charge consumers $100 for adults and $20 for the elderly and students.
What’s your take on the new system?
Do you think it will work? Will the threat of a hefty fine or six months imprisonment cause commuters and operators of private transportation to follow these new rules?
Let me hear from you!
Teri Ann Renee Paisley
Gleaner Online Writer
Tags: fines, transportation
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5 Responses to “Is the $100,000 fine too much or just enough?”
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I hope it’s $100,000 or 10 days or else there won’t be space to lock up all who can’t pay.
Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful information specifically the final phase
I handle such information much. I was seeking this particular info for a long time. Thanks and good luck.
It is simple. Just don’t take the illegal buses. Stop aiding and abetting criminals…
There are a few concerns.
1. Lack of proper transport after hours
2. Failure of buses to stick to time tables. Something will have to be done about that.
3. I think the fine for the operators should be heavier.
It is way too much. You can steal millions as a public official and pay $500,000 or less under proposed corruption laws but hustling to work to hold down a 9 to 5 you can face $100,000 in fines. By the way you do have a right to go in any vehicle you choose as an adult. The robot operators should possibly be fined but no where near even $100000 either. Times are very tough and while ROBOTS are illegal the truth is they operate because there is an inadequate public transportation system. Commuters ride a their own risk and the risk of injury with no compensation is sufficient. It is parasitic for the State to want to take up to $100G over a ride that would not have been taken had public transportation been sufficient to meet demands.
This is just crazy, but then again our government loves the poor. Anyone who has used the JUTC system before knows that its a far cry from what it should be. it is grossly in-efficient, hence the reason why the illegal taxi and bus men thrive so much, they get you where you need to go ontime cant say that about the JUTC service at all. My 3 points on this are:
1. Had the JUTC been as efficient as they should be there would be no space for illegal taxi/bus men.
2. Many of the persons running the buses and taxis are not “criminals” so to speak, yes the act is illegal, but people need jobs something that the govt cant provide, so they seek to “Hussle” to make ends meet. When we take this from them I see an increase in crime comming
3. 100,000?? so the average jo in jamaica taking a taxi has 100k to blow? as Peeking says I see a lot of the poor we love so much being locked up for 10 days and for what trying to get to work early.