Revolution! - Coaster, taxi operators vow to fight unfair treatment
Published:Thursday | February 24, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Private minibus and taxi operators from various sectors of the island have vowed to stage a revolution to get justice for what they feel is excessive and unnecessary unfair treatment.
The operators were in a militant mood and chaos almost descended on the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston yesterday during a meeting with the Transport Authority where they decided enough was enough.
In fact, the operators got so rowdy that they disrupted the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry that was under way in the room next door, and a police officer had to come over and ask for order.
According to the operators, they were fed up with police harassment, disrespect, unfair treatment, double standards, poor road conditions, abuse from the authorities, excessive fees and competition with illegal operators that were forcing them out of business.
"It is the first in the history of minibus operations that I have witnessed so much injustice in the business," said Lunville Watt, who has been a bus proprietor for more than 30 years.
"A revolution will take place in this country because the poor working class is being penalised, while those in high places are getting away with murder," he said to loud eruption.
"We are fed up, frustrated and tired. We can't bear it no more!" shouted another operator.
"We are all feeling the pain!" another voiced.
"Some of us have to park our buses because we can't afford to operate them anymore. How do we feed our families?" said one, almost to the point of tears.
"We can't even sell the buses and route cause no one wants to buy it. So we are now tied up in something we can't come out of," one operator stated.
In the hot seat
With the absence of Transport Authority Managing Director Daniel Dawes, Operations Manager Cecil Morgan was put in the hot seat to feel the ire of the private stakeholders who did not hold back.
Morgan began by giving some commendations as well as outlining problems he was having with some operators. Chief among the problems was that several of them were operating contrary to their route licence and beginning next week, the violators will face serious action.
However, the operators countered with the problems they were having with the Transport Authority, police and Island Traffic Authority.
All of the stakeholders agree that as sub-franchisers of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), they should be given the same treatment.
In relation to the new Water Lane bus park, Morgan said apart from the St Thomas buses and some of the Portland operators, other operators were not using it. Operators countered that there were no commuters there.
"That park was originally for all bus operators. If everyone, including the JUTC buses use the park, it would solve half the problems," one operator stated, getting full support from the room.
Morgan promised to address their concerns at the next Transport Authority meeting.