KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—The Transport Ministry intends to implement a new aged vehicle policy that allows for the importation of 10-year-old cars and 15——to 20-year-old buses. This will aid public passenger vehicle (PPV) operators in replenishing their fleets.
Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said the draft policy will be submitted to cabinet for discussion next week.
Vaz, who spoke on Tuesday during a press conference, noted that currently, about 90 percent of the island’s PPV operators use vehicles that are over 15 years old.
“The current fleet of passenger vehicles in operation on our roads is comprised of aged vehicles, more than 90 percent being over 15 years old. Expanding the age limit of imported vehicles will broaden the affordability option for PPV operations while not compromising safety.”
He said the new policy will facilitate ordering vehicles directly from overseas.
“A cabinet submission is being drafted. The new policy will allow PPV operators to benefit directly by ordering vehicles from overseas. Still, the local dealers can also import the vehicles through a registered dealer and buy the vehicle from the lot of a pre-authorized dealer,” Vaz said.
He indicated that a new Cabinet submission will be drafted and presented next week.
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