Please allow me some space in your paper to express my disappointment in the way some workers of the Transport Authority operate, even though I am sure they would claim they are only doing their job in a lawful manner.

While on my way to work recently, nearing the Rio Nuevo main road from Retreat, St Ann, I saw a tow truck carrying a 'coaster bus'. A host of schoolchildren and some adults were standing by. The children were clad in the uniform of the Retreat Primary School which, as I later realised, would be about three miles from where there was a mini-van with some Transport Authority workers. A few minutes later, the wrecker drove off with the bus, and the children and adults proceeded to walk back to the crossing, obviously to get another vehicle to take them to school.

Safety

Now, what upset me most was the disregard for the safety of these children. In my opinion, if the bus was on another route illegally, or the driver was guilty of any breaches or doing anything that would not endanger the lives of its passengers, the Transport Authority could have driven behind the bus and let the driver take the children to school, and then seize the bus.

That way, the children would be off the streets and at school and no one would be worrying about their safety.

Too much emphasis is placed on the importance and the protection of our children for them to be treated in this manner. Please let us cater to the needs of our children and not mope about the deed after anything untoward happens to them.

This is a plea to some of our organisers to help raise funds to start a school-bus system to ease the burden of our children in some of the deep rural communities.

I am, etc.,

LYLIN MCKENZIE

Gayle

St Mary