TAXI operators and some buses who running routes in Spanish Town are now required to pick up and let off passengers at designated areas in the old capital, in an effort to reduce congestion in the town.

The decision, which took effect Monday morning, calls for operators of taxis and mini buses to use the King Street taxi stand and the facilities on Wellington Street which have been refurbished.

Police and representatives of the Transport Authority, in a meeting over the weekend, told operators in the town of the impending changes and sought their cooperation in their efforts to reduce congestion in the town.

Taxis operating on the Tredegar Park, Thompson Pen, Waterloo, Sligoville routes are among those that will now terminate at the taxi stand on King street. Buses which have been using the Barrett Street Shell gas station, facing the Spanish Town Hospital, will also be required to utilise the King Street facility.

Inspector Patrick Murdock of the Spanish Town police said the Transport Authority and traffic cops would be monitoring the transition, to ensure full compliance with the changes in and around the town by getting operators to refrain from parking and soliciting passengers on the roads. “Such activity helps in lawlessness and provide opportunities for criminal elements to further ravage the town,” he said.

Spanish Town residents have in the past complained about poor security at taxi stands, especially on Wellington Street. However, the police officer told the weekend meeting that security measures would be put in place at the designated taxi stands. Lights, he said, will also be installed.

Murdock said the police would maintain a presence in the new parking areas, and that commuters should not be too concerned about the volatile Tawes Pen area, which is nearby. “Taxis have been using the road through Tawes Pen on a daily basis and I really don’t see any reason to be overly concerned about the security against that community,” said Murdock.

In the meanwhile, Murdock, responding to questions on extortion, told the Observer that operators confirmed that they were paying what they called a “subcription fee”, but that they were comfortable with the arrangment.

Murdock said that in spite of the problem of extortion, taxi drivers have declined to mention names of the persons involved in the collection of fees.

Transport operators who use the Spanish Town bus park and taxi stands have over the years been required to pay an extortion fee which has been going to the Clansman gang.