Protest in May Pen, cabbies demand better treatment

Several taxi operators took to the streets of May Pen, Clarendon this morning in protest of alleged harassment from members of the Transport Authority.

The drivers parked their cars along the side of the road in the vicinity of the May Pen Bridge, some waving placards and calling out to the authorities for help.

They only resumed service after rush hour when May Pen Mayor Joel Williams secured a meeting between the Transport Authority and members of the taxi associations.

The meeting is set for noon tomorrow.

"What is happening here is as a result of extreme pressure being brought on taxi men who operate on this route," explained Frederick Bryan, president of the Vere Taxi Association.

"They complain about the actions of the authorities in terms of their quickness in summonsing operators for infractions that are minor; where they could have talked with the drivers to make the relationship with the Transport Authority better and more cohesive," he said.

One taxi operator explained that it is a one-way street to enter the town and members of the Transport Authority waylay them at specific points, sanctioning them at will.

"As soon as we commit a small offence. Seh we don't have we badge or a shirt or if the badge start fade out, dem ticket we. No discussion, nothing!"

"So that's why we just decide seh we nah work today. The passenger dem have to just suffer cause we tired of it," reasoned another driver, adding that they are already being affected by the addition of Jamaica Urban Transit Company buses to their routes.

Mayor Williams, who said he just happened to be driving by the protest and stopped, requested the midday meeting after hearing the operators' arguments.

"Based on what I've heard I've called the managing director of the Transport Authority and he is prepared to meet them here at 12 o'clock to hear their concerns and see how best we can resolve those issues," he said.

"Because, if you look there is hardly any route that has any cars out here," he marvelled, noting that it appeared some 200 operators had turned out for the protest.

- Corey Robinson

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