The Ministry of Transport says effective immediately all ride sharing services are banned in Jamaica.
The ministry says the applications will be banned for one year in the first instance or until a new regulatory framework can be implemented.
The ministry made the announcement in a directive on Tuesday.
In their directive, the transport ministry said it has instructed Cable and Wireless and its affiliates to restrict access to ride sharing applications, including Uber, inDrive, 876OnTheGo, Lyft and Ride Jamaica.
The transport ministry says the move to ban ride hailing services is designed to reduce the safety risk for citizens, residents and visitors to Jamaica.
The ministry says it is also taking into consideration broader national security concerns.
The transport ministry says the police have reported several heinous crimes including rape, abduction, murders and robberies have been committed by people purportedly contracted through ride sharing applications.
The police say there have been possible breaches of the Money Laundering Act, Cybercrimes Act and Terrorism Prevention Act.
The ministry says there is information that people are using ride sharing services without the necessary fit and proper checks and are in breach of the Road Traffic Act and the Transport Authority Act.
The move by the ministry comes one day after the Jamaica Constabulary Force made a call to ban ride sharing applications pending regulations.
The skeletal remains of a body believed to be that of teacher, Danielle Anglin, was found in Clarendon on Monday. It’s believed Ms Anglin was killed after last being seen in an inDrive car.
A suspect, who has multiple sexual offences, is in police custody.
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