Transport Minister Mike Henry is to consider a suggestion from some transport operators in western Jamaica, for legal provisions to be pursued to allow

for passengers who knowingly take ‘robot’ taxis to be charged with aiding and abetting the operation of the illegal taxis.

Minister Henry, who visited Montego Bay last week for a road safety engagement and to get a first-hand account of public transportation operations in the city and the wider region, met with representatives of the operators thereafter.

In the meeting, he had a clear message for the illegal operators.

“We have to be mindful that we cannot flout the law whenever it pleases us, or accommodate those who are operating illegally at the expense of those who are obeying the rules,” he said.

He said the ministry has been facilitating dialogue between members of the Transport Authority and operators of public passenger vehicles (PPV), in order for the operators to have a better understanding of the traffic laws and requirements.

He noted that the robots continue to be a “sour point”, as they undermine the operations of the legal taxi operators.

Henry said while it would be challenging to pursue and achieve, he will be looking at the call by some transport operators for the necessary legislation to be put in place for passengers to be charged with aiding and abetting of robot taxis, to determine the merit and possibilities of the suggestion.