Dear Editor,

Help! Help! No, it is not a fire; no, it is not a flood. It is the bus and taxi operators from whom we need deliverance.

Every town across the island of Jamaica has been infested with red and white plate vehicles for hire. The help is not needed because they carry passengers, it is needed because of the wanton lawlessness that they perpetuate on the nation’s roads.

It is with much deep breathing and counting to 432 that I write this letter. It is grossly unfair to normal commuters, going about their lawful business, to have to deal with the bullying of these bus and taxi operators.

They let off passengers in the middle of the road; drive on the opposite side of the road causing other motorist to seek refuge in bushes; use the turning lanes to go straight; drive through the traffic lights on red; park at stoplights to solicit passengers; tailgate other motorist; bob and weave through traffic; block each other for passengers; overtake around corners; and the list continues.

Now, if that were not enough, the operators retrofit their vehicles with disgustingly loud horns, speakers, and super bright colourful headlamps.

We now have a new Road Traffic Act with harsher penalties, but that seems to have no impact on bus and taxi operators. This is evidenced by the volume of tickets that some of these operators have racked up. The authorities have to employ different strategies to bring these operators in line. One strategy that can be looked at is to target the taxi and bus associations that the operators are affiliated with. These associations would normally come out strong to get fare increases and are silent about the behaviour of their members. The authorities should meet with the associations and impress on them the importance of getting their members in line.

Politicians should be required to outline their plans to deal with the public transport system during their political campaigns and in their manifestos, because we need the help.

Hezekan Bolton

h_e_z_e@hotmail.com