TAXI associations islandwide are urging their members to be extremely cautious to the run-up of the December 29 general election.

“Taxi drivers are operating in a more volatile period now; more than ever before,” said Roger Stewart, public relations director at the Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO).

Stewart said that even though more security forces have been dispatched to the streets “the issue of safety intensifies around election time”.

The public relations director said drivers requested to transport persons to political rallies must also be careful to protect their livelihood.

“Drivers interested in transporting political supporters are strongly advised to enter into contracts with political entrants and coordinators in order to protect their vehicles from damage,” Stewart said.

“Some drivers whose vehicles had been damaged in previous elections still have not been compensated,” said Stewart.

He said contracts may be picked up at the JATOO office and outlets islandwide.

“Our main interest is to protect their earning potential,” he continued.

Dion Chance, president of the St James Taxi Association, is urging all taxi drivers to be vigilant in the execution of their duties.

“Drivers should make every effort to ensure they are very aware of their surroundings when picking up passengers,” he said.

“Everything from the way people dress, how they sit, and the number of persons travelling together can be an indicator that they may be dangerous,” Chance said.

Adding that ignoring the danger signs could prove deadly.

Ruby Parton, head of the North East Manchester Taxi Association, has, however, taken another approach. She has decided against transporting political supporters to any rallies.

My members will not be driving to these events,” Parton told the Auto. “If the drivers want to go, they can go but not with the cars. We absolutely do not want any damage done to the vehicles and cannot afford to run that risk,” she continued.

— Jarmila Jackson