Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Government Moving to Regularize Illegal Taxi Operators
#Kingston, February 5, 2019 – Jamaica – Transport and Mining Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, says the Government is moving to regularize the “robot” taxi industry by encouraging operators to register as a company with the Transport Authority (TA).
“We are offering them the opportunity to become formalized, so we are freeing up the licence,” he said at a meeting with members of Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS) at the Ministry in Kingston on Thursday (January 31).
“In the past, the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) would close the route. You could not get a licence on certain routes. We have opened up these routes, so it is not difficult for a person to get a road traffic licence,” he added.
He noted that the Ministry is also moving to “allow persons to craft their own routes and register them with us, so there is no excuse not to apply”.
The Transport Minister said that another strategy being employed is limiting the number of licences held by a private citizen.
“Transport operators will not be able to get more than three private licences. Right now, an individual can get any amount of licences. Once you exceed this number, you should be registered as a company,” he said.
He noted that discussions are being held with insurance companies in order to enable operators to provide passengers with some protection in the event of a road accident.
“Now if it (insurance) is on a company, and an accident occurs and a claim is made, the passenger is in a better position,” he pointed out.
Minister Montague said that the Government will be working with the courts, insurance companies and the Island Traffic Authority to treat with persons who are caught and convicted of operating illegally.
“If a person insists on running as a robot taxi, we have to robustly deal with them. The appeal is that all persons who are operating as robots… should go to the TA and apply for their licence,” Mr. Montague said.
“The challenge that we have is to change the mindset that the transport industry is a hustle and make it into a business. There are some operators that have been in the business for over 40 years. I want to leverage their experience to make it better for them,” he added.
Release: JIS
Contact: Rochelle Williams
Photo Caption: Transport and Mining Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, addresses members of Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS) during a meeting on Thursday (January 31), at the Ministry’s Maxfield Avenue offices in Kingston.
Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.
The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new
administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.
In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.
The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.
Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.
Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s
leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.
The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.
Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.
Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM
Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.
CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.
Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.
“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.
“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity,
such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”
Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.
“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.
Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.
Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.
Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.
“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.
