JAMAICA Observer online readers have reacted with support and criticisms to the planned protest by the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party over the pending increase in bus fares. On Wednesday, Opposition Leader Andrew Holness declared that the party will take to the street to show its disapproval of the fares, announced by Minister of Transport and Works Dr Omar Davies, that will see commuters paying up to 200 per cent more to ride buses in the Kingston Metropolitan Region. The new fare structure will take effect on Sunday. Here are some edited comments.

CHUCK EMANUEL the original

Protest is perfectly fine. Just ensure that it is not taken over by criminals, rioters, and looters ready to destroy property.

rider

@CHUCK EMANUEL the original: No way. We are more civilised than those people in Ferguson, Missouri.

chris

@rider: I believe Ferguson has a lower crime rate than Jamaica.

LZR

March me seh! One year after a raise, they want another? Every time these politicians fail to manage our systems, the people feel the pinch; every bad decision gov’t makes (sliding dollar), we have to pay the bill.

twotypes

This bus fare increase is heaven sent for ANY party in opposition. This may win the JLPNP green party the next election; LOL! Mr Holness, as you are planning this street protest, you must ensure that your protest does not lead to violence and if there is any you will take responsibility for it. (PS: I’m not going to hold my breath.)

rider

The bus fare raises once a year and the food in the supermarket raise many times in a year. Andrew, are you going to protest against the merchants?

newschecker

Apart from the increase for senior citizens, the fare is fair. How else can the JUTC sustain itself? How many people pay their fair share of taxes? The JLP thinks by calling for a march they will seem like a party of action and so will win votes. It does not work that way.

mccormacklindel

The PNP doesn’t care one rahtid about the suffering poor, their priority is to make sure party hackers eat a food. Every agency of government is stacked with party loyalists, which is causing the bleeding of its resources. We have a theologian as the chairman of JUTC instead of someone with a proven track record in managing business.

CESAG6542

Mr Holness is a bit disingenuous and is obviously pandering to the financial hardship of the masses to score political points. My question to the leader of the Opposition would be, what would you or your government do to fix the almost $350 million a month the JUTC is losing just to keep buses on the road?

Mabted

@CESAG6542: You are 100% correct. Tribal politics continue to haunt us as a nation and both sides try to find anything they can to fire up its base and score political points. While I am of the view the JLP would better serve Jamaica or at least bring in fresh new ideas, this time around I think the proposed increase is just and fair to assist in keeping the JUTC alive and may I add it still won’t be enough as the gov’t will still have to subsidise.

Mack

Jamaica is a failed state and unless there is significant debt cancellation it will not be a matter of if, but when the country hits the wall.

Foreign Geek

Hmm. I thought this was the “land of the run wid it”. A protest will just go down as ‘duly noted’ and moving on. I mean when has the Government ever stopped, changed gears and reversed their actions because of a protest? And I mean since Independence?

hamletz

Tell us how to keep the same fare rates and even how to lower them, and you shall have a chance in the next election.

Wiseman Talkin

A desperate response from a desperate party. Where is the big rally/protest against the majority of business people who are not paying any taxes to assist the development of the country, which includes critical infrastructure such as roads & transport, housing, education, health care and so on?