Where are the buses?

THE EDITOR, Madam:

It is a travesty of justice that the commuting public is left at the mercy of higher pricing as a means of getting around in Jamaica.

While on the one hand we praise the taxi operators who are indispensable to mobility in our “ravine-ous” terrain, the question remains .... where are the buses? One Rasta man commuter put it this way: “Even if the fare go to one dolla, no bus deh deh fi catch”. One elderly, blind passenger sits on the pavement demonstrating, tears streaming down his eyes... “Dem ah tell lie pan mi”. “Can’t see no 16 or 30”. His cane is a stick, a shield waiting for hours for a “yellow” bus.

The vast majority of passengers in buses are the elderly, infirmed and children. Sadly, no bus “travailing” on Mona Road. No pathway to the front gate of the University (although) a safer walk now with improved lighting and security post at the entrance. High and primary school students attending education institutions on that road must be taken by taxi at the cost of $180 to $200 dollars. So, (that means) bag juice and sweet biscuit for lunch.

MANDATORY ASSIGNMENTS

It is little wonder that for adult fare our children are placed in vulnerable “squeeze up” positions. At the least the public bus ends the route where a police station is present. Without this protection, students are easy prey, victims for violent acts ending in fatalities. Who will take responsibility for this deficit? The ministries of education, youth and information? justice? social security? defence? gender? health and wellness? Parliamentarians should have mandatory assignments to attend parliament via the public transportation system to justify non-attendance and late arrivals.

What of talk of school buses? How early must the young people awake to get to school on time? How many hours are lost standing at bus sheds? What do you do when you don’t have, and cannot afford the taxi fare?

PRESENT COMMUTER

WAITING ON ABSENT BUS