Dear Editor,

Jamaica is the very first in the Caribbean to join those First World countries fortunate enough to have a railway system or service.

We started off with the tram car running from downtown, on Orange Street, to uptown, Constant Spring; and from downtown, out to Victoria Street, and elsewhere around Kingston. So, then, we can say the Jamaica Railway Corporation (JRC) is a part of our legacy and history worth fighting to maintain.

It would appear to me that part of the whole disruption within the JRC is mainly political. I say this because, if indeed we believe, as Jamaicans, that the railway system is a part and parcel of our rich history, then we must act in the best interest to maintain this part of our history.

It would appear, however, that this is not so based on the tug-o-war that we have watched over these decades with both major political parties trading punches as it relates to keeping the rail running.

With the fast growth of our population and the rising amount of commuters, it is now more vitally important for the train to be up and rolling. Whenever one party is in power, the train stops; when the other party gets into office the train is again is resurrected, even though not to full life.

It does appears that we want to join those countries that boast a train service, while providing for their people, a transport system, second to none. And we, as a people, deserve to have a train service working in tandem with the transportation service we offer our commuters on a daily basis. People need to travel in comfort and in style, and the train provides these comforts for weary commuters. Even so, we need to pass on the legacy of our history to our younger generation.

Many young people I speak with these days have never had a ride on a train, and it would be good to have a proper and secure train service. Now that the Chinese are here, wouldn’t it be a fantastic time to introduce the tube system into the already overcrowded city of Kingston as a possible solution to our transportation woes.

The train service is much easier to travel by, and it is much safer, in light of accidents; it also moves more commuters from one point to another. The train also burns less fuel while covering more distance than any motor car or bus; hence, we get cleaner atmosphere, as we seek to protect our environment from carbon emission. Also, because of the scheduled time within the rail service, people can get to their destination on time.

In many First World countries people park their cars and ride on the train to and from work. As a child, I can remember travelling from Pechon Street, where the main station was, all the way to Riversdale, in St Catherine, to look for my grandmother, aunts, and cousins. Those were fond days of my memory I can recall.

I want to implore Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Transport Minister Robert Montague to act in the interest of the growing public and see to it that this Administration brings back the train service which is a very pivotal part of development, within any First World country, and in keeping with Vision 2030.

For any country to be considered developed, three infrastructures must be in top shape — roadways, the health system and our transportation system.

I am hopeful that we will see the train rolling again, and in a more salubrious climate to the interest of growth and the growing commuters.

Alrick Davis, JP

alrico_dee@yahoo.com