MONTEGO BAY, St James — Presidents of two taxi associations and a health official in St James are urging cabbies not to let the potential dent in their pockets prevent them from cranking up the air conditioning in their vehicles.

“We’ve been advising them that they need to use the air conditioning (AC), although we know that it’s going to be digging deeper into their pockets at the pump; but it is what it is,” head of Granville United Pitfour Taxi Association (GUPTA), Lancelot Gooden told the Jamaica Observer.

For him, keeping vehicles cool is just good customer service. He said with the summer heat even short journeys without AC may see travellers sweating profusely.

“If the passengers are feeling the heat so are we the driver,” said Gooden who also pointed out that the impact of using the AC is less than it was in previous years as vehicles have become more fuel efficient. To keep their cost down, he suggested that drivers use AC when traffic is slow moving in the city but open the windows when there is a free flow of vehicles.

In addition to the impact on passengers, president of the St James Taxi Association Dion Chance was quick to point out the implications for drivers’ personal health if vehicles are too hot.

“It doesn’t make any sense if, for argument sake, you are not going to use the AC because you don’t want to burn the gas but you’re hypertensive and you have blood sugar and sit down in the sun until you hurt yourself, that’s not practical,” Chance lamented.

“People have to look at their health first and foremost to deal with things,” he said.

He offered advice to members.

“Drink more water and come out of the vehicle as often as you can. Try to stay out of the sun and stay hydrated,” he stated.

Medical officer of health in the parish of St James, Dr Tanique Bailey-Small, also urged drivers to use their AC or open the windows if it is not working.

“As we approach the summer months, it is very important that we take the necessary steps to avoid heat related illnesses. For passengers taking public transport, it’s important to stay hydrated so always travel with some water. Wear light clothing and keep an umbrella or hat close by to provide some protection from the sun,” she urged.

Some passengers have complained that some drivers try to downplay the heat in their vehicles, an excuse not to use the AC. One driver, who gave his name as Andrew, said he has carved out a competitive advantage by offering a cool vehicle. He is prepared to live with an increase in his fuel cost.

“The people dem love it. As soon as mi stop, they rush the vehicle because they know they will get a comfortable drive,” he told the Observer.