MAY PEN, Clarendon — Singing and dancing around their parked vehicles, several taxi operators gathered at the May Pen clock in the city centre on Monday, joining their colleagues in other parishes in withdrawing their service on Monday. They are being penalised, they said, because of the Government’s failure to put bus stops in place.

“We inna Clarendon, most a we don’t have a designated park. We get ticket everywhere we stop; it doesn’t matter. If you are getting a ticket for $2,500 today and one for $2,500 tomorrow, you have to pay your boss… How you pay your bills, your rent, everything? And what happens when you get three tickets one time? From the tickets raise, a joke di police dem tek it for. Them have no leniency,” argued cab driver Shane Johnson.

“The only bus park weh deh a Clarendon weh we sure ’bout a di bus park fi go a town [Kingston]. We don’t have a bus park. The Transport Authority dem just come a while ago and tell we say we fi stop a di designated stop. But where is the designated stop? Anywhere from up inna di May Pen town, from the clock go to the hospital down at Denbigh, if we stop anywhere there so, from a police come and see you, a ticket. Then what we supposed to do?” he questioned.

Johnson also said that the earnings from operating a taxi are not enough.

“If we make $10,000 for the whole day, we a go buy back $5,000 gas, we haffi go take out $3,000 fi di boss, and we have $2,000 fi we self,” he explained.

According to Constable K Ivey, who was at the scene, the cab drivers also complained that the speed with which the tickets are being amassed poses a challenge.

“Even though there is a 21-day time period for them to pay, they are saying that they are getting too much in one day,” he told the Observer.

Mayor of May Pen Winston Maragh said efforts are being made to address some of the transport operators’ concerns.

“We have the park across from the tax office that we told them they can use. So, what is the problem?…We have been looking at some more stops, but we have not yet finalised…We are working with the police,” he said to protesters at the scene, from the safety of his vehicle.

The drivers insisted, however, that he alight from the vehicle to address them. Maragh then proposed a meeting with at least five of them at his office. The drivers declined, underscoring that the issues that affect them happen in the streets and not within a confined office.

They strenuously called for the relevant authorities to erect temporary bus stops.

“We can get a temporary bus shed right front of Young’s [Pharmacy], and get a temporary one right front of NCB, and right down at guinep tree,” said Ryan Biggs who was among the protesters.

He also underscored the need for representation for the more than 800 Toyota Probox taxi drivers, among other taxi operators who offer service in the parish.

“We nuh have no representer at Clarendon. None. No taxi association. No mayor – they only have the name but nobody nah come out come represent we,” added Biggs.

The drivers said the strike will continue until their concerns are addressed.

“Tomorrow a go be the same thing until we get a voice. We important just like anybody else,” insisted Alrick McLean.

The strike affected scores of people in May Pen, including students and workers, many of whom had to pay extra fare to commute or find alternative means to get to their respective destinations. Some resorted to walking.