ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica – Transport operators in the south St Elizabeth farming town of Junction withdrew their services early Monday and staged a peaceful demonstration.

They are protesting efforts to remove them from the centre of the town to a designated transport centre, close to the fire station, 70 metres away.

The transport operators are reportedly arguing that the gazetted transport centre is too small and also that there is the potential that their operations could hinder fire fighters, given the proximity to the fire station.

However, councillor for the Junction Division, Cetany Holness (JLP) told the Jamaica Observer late this morning that the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation would not be backing down from what he said were efforts to bring order to Junction.

“We have gone through a rigorous process of getting the transportation centre properly gazetted and we will not be backing down,” Holness said.

Holness said that as the situation now stands, congestion, largely caused by “up to 300” taxi operators parking their vehicles at the centre of Junction was creating disorder and providing cover for criminals who prey on people, including returning residents, going about their business.

“We (municipal corporation) agree that they (transport operators) are trying to make an honest bread but they must make their honest bread without breaking the law,” Holness said.

Garfield Myers