While children are excited about the summer season when they can finally get a break from the routine of school, taxi operators say they are feeling the effects of students’ absence that ply their routes.

One such taxi driver is 24-year-old Camal, who operates the Papine to downtown Kingston route. Camal told OBSERVER ONLINE that when school is out, “it rough.”

“Basically when school not in session, things kind a rough. So right now, like when school in session you know seh things a go pick up back and we can mek more money. Right now mi a mek like 50 per cent less usual,” he said, adding that he has been operating a taxi for approximately four years.

The cabbie added that during summer break, he finds himself working longer hours compared to when school is in session.

“Mi affi a work late ‘til night because nuh money nuh really deh pan di road like dat during the summer,” Camel said, noting that sometimes he works up until 11:00 pm during the summer season, as opposed to his regular 9:00 pm.

Another taxi operator, 38-year-old Damion, said with schools being out he is also seeing a 50 per cent decline in customers.

“We have less passengers now, ‘bout 50 per cent less than when school in process. Me excited for September morning when the kids dem come out so me can mek some more money. When the kids dem nuh deh here it rough. We know definitely, September morning, we a go see a 90 per cent increase. When school a keep during the week everybody active,” the father of one said, revealing that he also plies the Papine to downtown Kingston route.

Additionally, a 76-year-old man, who only identified himself as Trees, told OBSERVER ONLINE that it is hard operating a taxi without school kids being passengers.

“When school not in session we nuh really mek nuh money. But it alright still you know. So, I’m looking forward to back-to-school because me tek care a dem [me passengers], young old. It hard operating a taxi without the kids.”

Speaking on the difficulties he experienced during this time, Trees, who has been a taxi operator for the Papine to downtown Kingston route for over 15 years, said “You can’t go a gas station fi buy nuh gas an yuh short, so me need fi mek money fi survive. It hard, but we give a take still, you know, because kids can come in a di car and say ‘driver me nuh have no money an’ me a come from school’ mi nuh leave dem, that’s why me have so much customers.”

Schools were officially closed in July and the new school term is expected to begin on September 4, with mid-term break beginning on October 12 and ending on October 16.