Phillips says gov’t delay on ride-hailing policy destroying transport sector

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesperson on Transport and Mining, Mikael Phillips, says the Opposition stands in full solidarity with members of the transport sector whose businesses he said are being destroyed and whose livelihoods are adversely impacted by the unfair competition from unregulated “ride-hailing” services in Jamaica.

Phillips, in a statement on Wednesday, said the Opposition had raised the issue on many occasions to no avail. However, he noted the concerns of the tourism ground transportation groups within the tourism industry and called on the Minister of Transport, Daryl Vaz, to take urgent steps to fulfil his outstanding commitments to the sector before a larger crisis develops.

The Opposition spokesperson said the minister had given a solemn promise during the sectoral debate in Parliament on May 5, 2026, that the ride hailing policy Green Paper would be tabled within three months. But Phillips said five months had now elapsed, and nothing had been heard from the minister.