TOLL AUTHORITY LAUNCHES WEBSITE

The Toll Authority on Tuesday, June 20, 2006, launched its website at a ceremony at the Knutsford Court Hotel.

The Launch was attended by a number of officials, including Mrs. Joan Fletcher, CEO of the Authority, Dr. Alwin Hales, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Transport, Water and Works who gave the keynote address, Mr. Richard Azan, Minister of State, Mr. Mike Henry, Opposition spokesperson on Transport, Mr. Paul Clemetson, Director, Road Safety Unit among others.

In delivering the main address, Permanent Secretary Hales welcomed the Toll Authority ‘to the rest of the world on the information superhighway’. He noted that the advent of the internet had re-defined the world as a global village and as such it was in everyone’s interest to be a part of that system.

Dr. Hales used the opportunity to examine the role of Information Technology in the operations of the Ministry as well as on that of the various agencies reporting to it. He said that information technology was essential in the Ministry to improve the speed of response, efficiency and accessibility of public services and to bring the Ministry closer to its internal stakeholders and citizens.

In terms of its Agencies, the Permanent Secretary explained that all of them had the necessary access to information technology services, though he said that some were more equipped than others. Continuing, he said, “Information Technology initiatives have seen some of these agencies going beyond the standard development of in house systems, such as accounting, payroll, human resource management, inventory etc; to investing in new transport software that will improve operational efficiency.”

Examples of some of the Agencies with IT service include the Transport Authority with its License Management Information Systems (LMIS); the JUTC with its Trapeze and Dispatch software; the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) and its Flight Information Display System, Baggage Information Display System, Gate Information Display System and the Closed Circuit TV System. The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) is another Agency that is on the cutting edge of technology with advanced systems for the loading/unloading of ships and the tracking and handling of containers. Recently, they (the PAJ) upgraded their port facility by implementing a Direct Attach Storage/Storage Area Network (DAS/SAN) Server Tape and Back-up Solution at the Kingston Container Terminal (KCT).

The Permanent Secretary revealed that 14 of 25 agencies or 56% currently have websites outlining the operation of their agencies and the services offered. The addition of the Toll Authority’s and Transport Authority’s websites, the latter to be launched in July, 2006, will bring the numbers to 64%.

Turning to the matter of toll roads, the PS noted that these have existed in Jamaica since the 18th century. He said that in 2002, the Toll Road Act was passed in Jamaica and Highway 2000 was registered as a public-private partnership between the Government of Jamaica and the TransJamaican Highway.

Currently two tolled roads are in existence with a third to be opened in July of this year. The Vineyards at Bushy Park and the Spanish Town Toll Plaza are already in operation with the Portmore leg to come on stream next.

The PS noted that the toll roads have done well because of the benefits to be derived from travelling on them. He outlined some of these benefits as (a) significant time reduction in getting to and from destinations (b) reduced fuel consumption (c) reduced motor vehicle operating costs and (d) an hassle free travel environment.

The PS asserts that studies have shown that users of the Portmore leg of Highway 2000 will make a net saving when they travel compared to what obtained before the new road was built. He said that that represented a win-win situation.

As far as future development of Toll roads go, the PS said that NROCC in conjunction with TransJamaican Highway Ltd. and the NWA have completed an analysis of the construction and operation of the North/South link. He also said a facility being considered is the Montego Bay Bypass in St. James which links Segment One and Segment Two of the North Coast Highway Improvement Project. Discussions are ongoing between the Government of Jamaica and the CIDB of Malaysia for the financing and construction of this road.

The PS said that the Toll Authority’s website is in keeping with the tradition of openness, transparency and ready access to information by stakeholders. He encouraged the public to use the website not only to keep themselves informed on the development of toll roads in Jamaica but to communicate their views, concerns and ideas.