Dear Editor,

As of Tuesday, April 1, 2014, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has reclaimed or taken over the sub-franchise routes in the Kingston Metropolitan Region. All other buses have had to apply and pay for a licence to travel these routes and they also have to paint their buses yellow in accordance with the JUTC regulations.

This has created many issues for commuters and bus operators alike. Many persons are wary of the new system as they are not sure it will succeed. The bus operators are angry because they are being taken off their regular routes and are being forced to pay an obscene amount of money to license and repaint their buses.

The takeover went as planned and already commuters are expressing anger at the new system. Many persons were late for work and school as they had to wait a long time for a bus. They complain that the buses on some of the routes are inefficient. Many persons could be seen arguing (with themselves) as they waited for over an hour for a JUTC bus to arrive.

Another serious issue with the JUTC retaking some routes is the fact that commuters taking illegal taxis can now be fined up to $100,000! Now this is what grabbed my attention. It seems a bit extreme to fine commuters for taking robot taxis. We all know how Jamaica is, and we have seen many of these systems come and go, so we all have very little faith that this new system will succeed.

I personally do not have a problem with the JUTC trying to establish a new system where all drivers and conductors have to be uniformed, etc. I applaud them, in fact, as I have always hated taking these buses and being hassled by three or four men collecting fares. However, what needs to happen is for the JUTC buses to travel more frequently so people do not have to wait forever.

The fine for taking robot taxis is completely ridiculous, in my opinion, and they seriously need to revisit the drawing board because this can potentially cause havoc within the country. Another major problem is the fact that hundreds, and maybe thousands of people depend on these Coaster buses and taxis for employment. Jamaica’s employment rate is already way too low as it is and so to create more unemployed people is a recipe for disaster. Yes, the robot taxis are illegal, but they are more reliable than the JUTC buses and provide employment for many.

I am all for improvement in our transportation system, but we need to ensure the new system is foolproof before we get rid of the old one. At the moment, the JUTC is being blinded by the profit they will make with this new plan and so they cannot see the problem which will arise. Tell us what is going to happen to all those drivers and conductors who are being taken off their routes. Not everyone will be granted a licence to travel the new routes, as there is only a specific number available. Also, get the buses to travel more regularly and find a solution for all the unemployed people being created; then, and only then, can we express full confidence in this plan.

Kenisha Williams

kenishawilliams499@gmail.com