THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM constantly bemused by how power has devolved from our government to those in the transport sector. While the Ministry of Tranportation focuses its attention on fare increases in major urban centres, it has failed miserably to regulate the astronomical increments by rural operators.
For many years, residents in rural Jamaica have been imprisoned by operators who collaborate to charge fares based on their instincts and "discretionary economics". They are able to do this without regard for national rates and punishment.
Usually, the factors underlying these increases are based on how steep the hills are, road conditions, number of vehicles on route etc. Far too many people in Jamaica suffer from the hands of their neighbours, either through the limited choices available or poor regulation of services. This again is a classical goverment out of touch with those feeling the pinch. These are the kind of grass root issues that make the difference between affording bread and butter or being pushed to the edge of violence, drugs, stress and frustration. I have two questions for the ministry of transportaion:
Why can't fares be published for clarity? And why is regualtion of such a vital sector so poorly monitored?
This kind of attitude has contaminated too many sectors of gonvernment, and thus the ills and shackles of a developing nation only begets more travail.
I am etc,
GARNETT WAITE
gjordel@hotmail.com
Montego Bay
Via Go-Jamaica'
