No easing up on delinquent bus drivers

Paul Messam, Gleaner Writer

Despite SHIFTING focus to removing windscreen cleaners from the city's streets, Superintendent Radcliffe Lewis said there is no letting up on delinquent mini-bus drivers.

"The pressure continues. There is no easing up," said Lewis, head of traffic at the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Lewis in May last year, embarked on a project to remove dark tint, negative images and graffiti from public-passenger minibuses.

"The reason for removing the tints was that criminals were robbing these buses without easily being observed by policemen," he said. "In addition, there were a number of immoral acts being conducted on these buses."

The tough-talking officer said the tint-removal exercise is about 85 per cent complete, as both owners and drivers were more compliant.

"All the passenger vehicles are without the heavy, pounding sounds except for a radios," he said.

Lewis said the operational action plan was initially implemented to clean up the Corporate Area and was so successful it was replicated in other parishes. He explained once a driver is caught with lewd markings or graffiti on his bus, he is immediately arrested. After arrested, the driver is instructed to remove the tint then taken to court and fined.

"It is even more rigid now. If your vehicle is found in violation, it's whisked away to the pound," he said.

According to Lewis, he has removed some of the thugs, delinquent bus conductors and back-up men in the Half-Way Tree area — especially along Eastwood Park Road in the vicinity of the Shell service station — who contributed to the congestion of the major thoroughfare.