THE EDITOR, Sir:
I noted the advertisement placed in today's Gleaner (7/12/01) by the Transport Authority.
I am a regular commuter on the Spaldings/Cave Valley taxi route in Clarendon and my daily encounters help me to appreciate more how my forefathers felt as they were tightly packed into the slave carriers.
Almost every taxi on the route licensed or unlicensed endeavours to accomplish the unbelievable feat of transporting three adult passengers in the front of the car, (the driver makes four). As for those in school uniforms, their plight is another saga.
So, the top brass in the Transport Authority who drive their air-conditioned vehicles, and are not aware of the atrocities being committed against those unfortunate enough to travel on public passenger vehicles, can continue placing advertisements.
On the flip side of the coin the taxi men are constantly harassed by police and Transport Authority personnel, while being forced to pay enormous insurance premiums. Who is manly or womanly enough to level the playing field?
As a Government employee, huge taxes are taken out of my small wages, but not even comfortable public transportation I am not privileged enough to enjoy.
Will someone remind me which Great Thinker said "the more things change, the more they remain the same."?
I am, etc.,
DONETTA GARCIA HENRY
Aenon Town PO
Clarendon
