Hard drive for bad drivers - Database recommended for public transport system

Jodi-Ann Gilpin, Gleaner Writer

Public relations officer at the Route Taxi Association of Jamaica (RTAJ), Shelly-Ann Thompson, is calling for the implementation of a computerised system to monitor the public transport sector.

Thompson's statements came following the death of 15 year-old Lennox Lloyd Jr on May 29 in Portmore, St Catherine. Lloyd was killed when employees of the Transport Authority reportedly chased the bus in which he was a passenger, resulting in an accident. According to Thompson, if a proper system were in place there would have been no room for recklessness, as there would be a thorough record of all drivers.

"The transport system is one of the biggest working systems. Over 3,000 drivers are employed and the only way we'll be able to keep track of them is if we have a proper computerised system, where we have everyone on a database and we are able to keep track of every driver," she said.

"The transportation system is rotten, and only when we have proper systems put in place we won't have drivers on the road with 200 tickets, and we will be able to know persons who are operating illegally."

educate children

She implored parents to be responsible and educate their children on the importance of being vigilant on the road.

"You won't be able to just look at a driver and know that he has 200 tickets, or that he that he is at fault with the law, but we need to help our kids to be more careful about their mode of transportation, even if it means following them to the bus stop daily. The death of Lennox should be a catalyst for change," she said.

Member of parliament for South East St Catherine, Colin Fagan, said the level of indiscipline on the roads is cause for concern, and that parents must be more alert.

"We hear many groups advocating for different things, but we are not hearing much about the level of indiscipline in our society, and that is one of the main factors that has led to the deaths of many of our children since this year," he said.

"What I have realised is that there are some buses that are not going to take any adults, and then some of the children only travel with certain buses.

"Schoolchildren are in buses engaging in all sort of indecent behaviour and listening to slack and lewd music before they go to school. People, this can't work, the transportation system needs to be cleaned up," Fagan said.

Former Ascot High student Lennox Lloyd Jr was buried on Saturday, June 23.