Public Passenger Vehicle operators across the island, have welcomed the establishment of a Steering Committee, to represent their interests, and tackle issues affecting the sector.

The committee, will include minister of Transport Daryl Vaz, opposition spokesman Mikael Phillips, representatives from the ministry, the transport authority and the Island Traffic Authority.

It was announced following a retreat, hosted for transport operators, at the Moon Palace Hotel in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, last week.

The transport minister has indicated, that the committee’s establishment, will facilitate transport operators’ inclusion, in discussions pertaining to the sector.

He stressed, that his ministry, would not be dictatorial.

The move to establish the Steering Committee, has been welcomed by public transport operators, and the groups that represent them.

President of the St James Taxi Association, Dion Chance, says the initiative represents a new approach to the management of the sector.

Meantime, president of the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services, Egeton Newman, said the move is long overdue.