Trelawny pensioners plead for postal services
Published:Tuesday | March 10, 2026 | 8:53 AM
Pensioners in sections of Trelawny are urging the authorities to expand postal services in the parish, saying they are being forced to travel long distances and incur significant costs to collect pensions and conduct basic transactions.
Residents say the lack of accessible post offices has created serious difficulties for elderly citizens who depend on the services to collect pension payments and submit life certificates.
In northern Trelawny, residents of Bunkers Hill, about 16 miles from the parish capital, Falmouth, must pay approximately $1,000 for a round trip to access postal services.
Johnathan Bartley, councillor for the Wakefield Division, said he has repeatedly appealed for a post office to serve the area.
“I have been advocating for a post office for Wakefield. I have only been given promises. The pensioners need the post office,” said Bartley last week.
In southern Trelawny, the destruction of the Albert Town Post Office by Hurricane Melissa last October has compounded the problem, forcing pensioners to travel to Christiana in Manchester to access services.
Glester Rowe, an 80-year-old pensioner from Freemans Hall, said the situation is burdensome.
“It is causing much inconvenience to us who need to travel this long distance for services. I hope something can be done for us,” bemoaned Rowe.
Hugh Dixon, a resident of Albert Town, said the disruption highlights broader gaps in postal coverage across the parish and urged a modernised approach.
“The records show the lack of postal services right across the parish. It is much cheaper to upgrade than to repair. Arrange for the use of technology where business can be conducted on the phone,” Dixon suggested.
The Gleaner submitted questions last week to the Government's Post and Telecommunications Department but they are yet to receive a response.
- Leon Jackson
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