Dear Editor,Paris Taylor

The disquiet at the top-up spots for JUTC commuters on Valentine’s Day was heart-rending. I was on location at the Greater Portmore Shopping Centre where the activity was in full gear. I arrived at 9:00 am and was shocked at the crowd so early in the morning. I went back at 1:00 pm and was there in the line until I got my top-up after 9:00 pm. I felt weak and my feet were swollen. The sun was raging hot. Why do commuters have to endure such agony to top up for JUTC?

Senior citizens complained most regretfully from my standpoint, and a bus was brought into play to facilitate them from the heat and ease the tension. The others at the venue had to endure the cruel climate. I would like Colin Campbell, Radcliffe Lewis and Garnett Roper to look seriously at the grouses.

What’s worse, I observed a bald-headed man in red shirt collecting cards from JUTC workers and some other people to avoid joining the line when even the senior citizens had to endure the wait. This was facilitated by the young ladies who did top-up duties. We had to wait until this man topped up what seemed like 10 cards on each occasion. I noticed, though that when Radcliffe Lewis came on the scene he went for a walk. I would rather pay the full fare than to engage in such mistreatment again. The despicable situation should never be repeated and those who facilitated it should be punished. There is the need for more people to monitor the lines and some kind of shelter ought to have been provided.

Nice promotion, but the corruption and chaos were two major low points.

Greater Portmore

St Catherine

paristaylor82@hotmail.com