Students blamed for fuelling reckless ‘vibes bus’ culture

A conductor who works on one of the popular "vibes" buses that terminate in downtown Kingston has placed much of the blame for reckless driving squarely on the shoulders of student passengers.

The conductor, who asked not to be named, argued that students' demands for speed, loud music and thrill-seeking rides have helped to normalise dangerous behaviour within sections of the public transport system.

"The students now, a that them want," he insisted. "Just look at them when you see the buses, dem happy and a vibes with it," he shared.

His comments come in the wake of the recent overturning of a yellow Hiace bus inside the Pechon Street Transport Centre, an incident that has reignited national concern about safety, accountability and indiscipline on Jamaica's roads.

According to the conductor, the vibes culture is so entrenched that some students deliberately refuse to board buses unless they meet their expectations.

"Some of them will stand up and wait because they want that type of vibes and them naa guh with anyone else."

He explained that certain buses have developed reputations as "vibe buses," attracting large numbers of students who are drawn to loud music and aggressive driving. In some cases, he said, students feel they have no alternative.

"Some have to just go with it because some bus driver don't want to bring them."

He, however, stressed that, regardless of student behaviour, drivers must exercise discipline and put safety first.

"Mi not saying because of the pressure from the students make dem do it, because at the end of the day them can't take programme. My bus just play the loud music, because if my boss see wi a swerve left to right, we have a problem. So as a driver you can't take program because see it now you in trouble."

A veteran bus operator with more than 40 years of experience told THE WEEKEND STAR that the recklessness associated with yellow minibuses is long-standing and deeply rooted.

"They have been doing it for a long time, I see them on the road go and come. And I have been on the road for a long time and all I can say is what they do is pure idleness," he said.

Commanding Officer for the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch, Superintendent Lloyd Darby, said the driver involved in the Pechon Street incident has since been prosecuted.

He was charged on reasonable suspicion of dangerous driving, not ensuring the safety of passengers and body protruding.

"Information is that he had six warrants," Darby said.

No fatalities were reported, but two men were injured in the crash.