KSAMC urges JUTC to restore Route 81 amid safety fears, disorder
Published:Thursday | November 10, 2022 | 3:29 AMAinsworth Morris/Staff Reporter
Five years after the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) suspended service on its No. 81 Corporate Area route, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has passed a resolution seeking its return, noting that many commuters, including students of several schools, have been left in the lurch.
The resolution was moved by Councillor Charmaine Daniels of the Allman Town Division and seconded by Councillor Lorraine Dobson, noting growing calls from residents for a better transport system to boost convenience and safeguard their lives.
KSAMC CEO Robert Hill gave an overview of why the resolution was brought before the corporation.
He noted that the No. 81 route serviced Church Street, North Street, South Camp Road, Glenmore Road, Elletson Road, Sussex Lane, Cambridge Street, Wellington Road, Lacy Road, Portland Road, and Giltress Street in the capital city.
“There are several schools along Route #81 whose students are being negatively affected, namely St George’s College, Kingston College, Holy Trinity High School, the Alpha Group of Schools, Jessie Ripoll, Clan Carthy Primary School, Clan Carthy High School, Rollington Town Primary School, Dunoon Park Technical High School, Kingston Technical High School, and Camperdown High School,” Hill said.
“Residents have been forced to use robot (illegal) taxis for their daily commute as there are currently no legal taxis servicing these areas ... . Residents have been left stranded whenever the police and Transport Authority carry out enforcement activities on these routes,” he said.
Daniels argued that the withdrawal resulted in increased safety risks for commuters and pedestrians as well as public and private properties.
She said that just last month, a female passenger died after jumping from an unlicensed taxi, which was still in motion.
“Transportation is the hub that is attached to our daily lives. It is widely used, and when it is not available, it negatively impacts our day,” Daniels said.
The councillor noted that among the range of challenges caused by the suspension is the economic and social impact on residents, some of whom are being robbed.
“This situation is unbearable. Crime and violence has increased in these communities, so residents have to take chartered taxis, and oftentimes, they have to walk through [unsafe] neighbourhoods, and they are afraid,” Daniels said.
She said the chartered taxis also operate contrary to their road licences to accommodate the transportation needs of the residents but are often chased and penalised by the police and Transport Authority personnel.
The Allman Town councillor called on the KSAMC to urge the Transport Authority to grant road licences to the illegal taxi operators for them to ply the route in order to restore order to the transportation system.
At the end of the debate, Kingston Mayor Delroy Williams said that Hill had reached out to both the JUTC and the Transport Authority, which advised that there were 12 franchise spaces available.
Although there has been no take-up, the authority is reportedly willing to re-engage interested transport operators.