Dear Editor,

The summer holidays are on in earnest and students not attending summer school are enjoying the break fully.

On the other hand, those who have to continue the grind of getting up early to go to school are feeling the frustrations associated with it, as also their parents. This, as they have not only to look at the cost of paying for the classes, but they also have to contend with finding funds for lunch and transportation.

The transportation cost is where the problem lies as parents are now required to find money to cover the cost of an adult fare for a child who, under normal circumstances, would have paid a student fare.

I believe the JUTC should look into the matter of allowing students to pay the reduced fare even in the summer. Parents would be encouraged to have their children take the buses if they offer the reduced fare as against using the alternative form of public transportation which, as recent events showed, can be quite dangerous.

Second, the JUTC would have already incurred the cost of sending the buses out and their cost of operation can only be affected in the positive with revenues in the plus from this offering.

I think the National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) should be lobbying for such a break for parents. In these difficult times parents will appreciate any break they can receive in sending their children out to school — summertime or regularly.

The JUTC and the NPTAJ should come to an agreement that students with a valid school picture ID continue to pay the reduced fare, even during the holidays. I do hope that in the interest of parents and students this will be considered.

Sylvester E Anderson

Valentine Gardens

Kingston 19