The Transport Authority launched its online application system for commercial carriers on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at the Knutsford Court Hotel. This is in an attempt to enforce the regulations regarding public passenger vehicle operations and to improve the turnaround time for the processing of licenses.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of Transport and Works Hon. Mike Henry said, “Today’s launch of the Transport Authority’s online application system for Commercial Carrier Licenses is just as monumental, as it heralds the start of a new phase in the customer service delivery at the Transport Authority, particularly for the Authority’s business clientele.”

Continuing, the Minister said, “Indeed the introduction of an online application system for road licenses is building on the technological platform established by the Authority in 2003, with the development of the Licence Management Information System (LMIS).”

Also speaking at the launch was Mr. Daniel Dawes, Managing Director of the Transport Authority. He noted that the overall impact of the project will be enormous. He said that 36,560 commercial carrier licenses were issued by the Authority for the period April, 2009 to March, 2009. This he said, meant that 60% of the road licenses issued by the Authority facilitated the movement of goods and services across the nation’s road network. He said that he would welcome feedback on the system via the website customerservice@ta.org.jm.     

The full scale implementation of the Online Application System for Commercial Carriers will result in a reduction in the processing times for this category of road licenses, saving costs in time and resources and resources for business and individuals.

The first Phase of the Online Application System allows companies and individual operators to submit applications for commercial carrier road licenses from the comfort of their homes. The second phase, scheduled for the 2010-2011 licensing period, will permit passenger vehicle operators to apply for their road licenses on the world wide web.

The Authority in an effort to continue the improvement thrust, is currently examining other means of reducing bureaucratic red tape and will be engaging the Inland Revenue Department in further dialogue to streamline the licensing processes for commercial and public passenger vehicles.