THE EDITOR, Sir:
IT IS no surprise that the JUTC is not making any money when one sees the number of privately owned Coaster buses, and those from the defunct (MTC) system "scooping up" passengers and racing to the next pool of prospective passengers along the way, even cutting off and blocking exit for buses.
I think the Minister of Transport owes an explanation to the public. How did so many of these coasters obtain licences to run in competition with the state-owned buses?
These Coasters block the exit at the lay-by at Cross Roads; at the Clock Tower in Half-Way-Tree and at Eastwood Park Road, leaving no place for the state-owned buses to park, dislodge or take on passengers who are loyal to the state.
My question remains, where are the police when a Coaster bus can tarry at a green light until it changes twice, in spite of the fact that buses are tooting for them to proceed?
I urge the Minister to dispatch one of his officers to monitor the routes at these aforementioned spots, and he will find out why the company is not making enough money to pay their employees and keep the company solvent.
Mr. Minister, we need action on the problems so that we do not lapse back into the chaos from which we came.
I am, etc.,
BASIL THOMPSON
P.O. Box 515
Constant Spring
Kingston
