Lucea bus drivers overcharging passengers

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing to bring attention to a troubling and unfair situation happening in western Jamaica, particularly along the Montego Bay to Lucea route. Since Hurricane Melissa devastated Hanover, a number of bus and taxi operators who ply on the Lucea route have been illegally overcharging passengers – and many persons feel helpless because they have no choice but to pay to get to work, school and home.

Drivers who normally charge $300 from Montego Bay to Lucea are now demanding as much as $600, and from Montego Bay to Sandy Bay, which should be $200, some drivers are now collecting $300 or up to $400. Some of these operators even refuse to carry you if you reject paying the inflated fare. Others do not want to let off passengers at Sandy Bay or Hopewell unless they accept the overcharge.

This is wrong. And it is against the law.

The legal fare structure is set by the Transport Authority and cannot be changed simply because some drivers want to make more profit. Many persons in Hanover are already suffering from the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa – homes are affected, many are trying to rebuild, businesses are struggling – and now the same people who are already going through hardship are being extorted by some of the very people we depend on daily for public transportation.

Commuters feel exploited at a time when the country should be uniting to help each other recover. Instead, a handful of greedy, rogue operators are using disaster as an excuse to rob poor people. Something must be done urgently about this, because the people of Hanover cannot manage any more financial pressure.

The Transport Authority, the police and government representatives should intervene immediately. There must be increased monitoring, enforcement, and penalties for any operator who continues to overcharge. The people of western Jamaica need protection – especially now – and the legal fares must be restored and upheld.

We are asking for fairness and decency. We are simply asking for what is right.

CONCERNED HANOVER

COMMUTER