Cabbie Cornelius Wright (left) makes a point to Spanish Town Mayor Dr Andrew Wheatley and Valerie Virtue, president of the Old Harbour Taxi Association, at the opening of the transport centre on Monday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Spanish Town Mayor Dr Andrew Wheatley has warned thugs that extortion would not be allowed to take root at the new transportation centre on Darlington Drive in Old Harbour, St Catherine.

Wheatley, who chairs the St Catherine Parish Council, the municipal authority, was speaking at the opening of the $8-million facility on Monday.

"No extortion will be allowed inside here. There is only one collection agent and it is the St Catherine Parish Council and no other element will be accommodated here,'' Wheatley said.

He told the scores of operators attending the launch to report all extortion attempts by thugs.

Wheatley's charge was backed by South West St Catherine Member of Parliament, Everald Warmington, who said the development of the transportation centre formed part of a five-year development plan for Old Harbour.

"The opening of this centre is something very meaningful to the overall strengthening of businesses in Old Harbour, as congestion is always a problem,'' Warmington said.

Parking capacity

The centre was built by the St Catherine Parish Council in three months and is equipped with parking capacity for 60 vehicles.

Cars will be charged $100 and buses $150 for daily use of the centre. The facility, which became operational yesterday, will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Secretary/manager of the St Catherine Parish Council, Christopher Powell, said more than 200 taxis plying several routes would benefit from the new facility.

rasbert.turner@gleanerjm.com