The Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS) has added its voice to growing public concern over the approval given to the two major political parties to host mass meetings metres away from each other in the Corporate Area on Sunday.

The ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is slated to host its meeting with Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness in Half Way Tree, while the People’s National Party (PNP) has its scheduled for Cross Roads with Opposition leader Mark Golding. Both are located approximately 2,400 metres apart in St Andrew.

President of TODSS, Egeton Newman, in a voice note on Thursday evening, said the hosting of the two meetings simultaneously is a bad move.

“It’s an unprecedented move that should not be ignored, and we are calling upon the police high command and the two political parties to go back to the [drawing] board and one should be postponed or shifted to another location,” argued Newman.

“The political climate in which we are now does not look good, and therefore any attempt or resemblance of bringing two national meetings so close to each other in St Andrew is a bad move. It’s a wrong move,” added Newman.

Newman argued that while both leaders may have the best interests of the country, consideration should be given to the proposed changes. He noted that having the two meetings nearby on the same day could place people at risk.

“As a transport organisation, we have 7,000 or more operators on the ground who have to work, who have to carry the sick to [the] hospital via emergency. We think it’s not a good move, and some consideration should be given by the authorities to have [the] meetings in separate areas outside of the corporate area, or the postponement of one,” suggested Newman.

— Anthony Lewis