Sheena Gayle and Tashieka Mair, Freelance Writers

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Port Authority of Jamaica has suspended plans to include a new tour company at the Montego Bay Cruise Shipping Terminal following a peaceful demonstration by taxi association members in the Second City on Tuesday.

The associations are Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA), Jamaica Cooperative Automobile and Limousine (CAL) and Maxi Tours.

When The Gleaner visited the facility, a fleet of more than 54 tour buses withdrew its services minutes before 10:00 a.m., forcing cruise ship passengers to board taxis while some chose to walk towards downtown Montego Bay, St James.

Not enough work available

All three taxi associations have been disgruntled since last week when the announcement was made by the Port Authority that a tour company, Vacation Master, would be included to compete with them.

"Presently, there is not enough work to be distributed and the members are struggling to meet their obligations, which include bank loans. The inclusion of anyone else into this operation must come only when there is clear vacancy," stated JUTA president Garfield Williamson.

JUTA has the largest fleet at the cruise ship terminal, with more than 800 members.

Williamson argued that, over the years, they have been advised by government officials that they should upgrade their vehicles to meet the needs of a high-end tourism product. He said that, to this end, he and his colleagues have invested $3 billion.

Security issues

JUTA, JCAL and Maxi Tours associations have also called for an overhaul of the proposed security measures which include the Port Authority's internal rotation system, dispatching of vehicles and the restriction of movement of the taxi association's executives.

An emergency meeting was held with the executive directors of the three taxi associations and the management of the Montego Bay Cruise Shipping Terminal met yesterday with a view to resolve the burning issues.

Following the meeting, president of JCAL tours, Glendon Harris, said: "We have come to a mutual agreement on the proposed security measures at the port. However, the inclusion of Vacation Master at the port was placed on hold following a review to determine whether or not sufficient room is there to accommodate another transportation operator."

Calls made to the office and mobile numbers for Anthony Bowen, port manager of the Montego Bay Cruise Shipping Terminal, in light of the demonstration at the terminal, were not returned.