I have become increasingly concerned about the way our transportation system continues to operate without any true form of oversight. I know that when I drive through Half-Way Tree, at times I see transportation officials who 'police' the buses. However, I cannot help but think that no one is seeing the things I am seeing.

First, I am concerned about the speed with which the buses are allowed to drive while transporting passengers. They swing in and out of traffic, overtake large numbers of vehicles and drive as if they are cowboys in a western. Are we to wait until several more accidents claim the lives of our children? This is a big concern to me as one who works daily with our schoolchildren. I believe the solution to this must be a speed limit for buses transporting people. I know they don't recognise the existing speed limits, but perhaps we should say that no bus transporting people should be allowed to drive more than 50km/h.

I do not know what policies are in place for the system, but it is time to upgrade it by having all bus conductors and drivers wear uniforms, by taking buses off the streets for playing loud music and, perhaps, putting some pressure on the bus owners by slapping them with fines if their buses are involved in breaking any rules of the transportation system. Only when the owners feel the pinch will they enforce any retributary penalties on the drivers and conductors. Our children are in need of decisive and effective leadership which will bring about the change to protect them. We must bring order to our society or else the disorder will turn to chaos.

I was driving on to the toll road in Portmore and was forced off the road by one bus racing down the road and, within seconds, overtaken by another on the bridge at full speed. I don't know what it is going to take, but please let us not wait until someone or some people die.

providing employment

As a business-minded person, I can understand that the Government will not seek to be fully responsible for the transportation system as it was during the Jamaica Omnibus Service days. It is also understandable that this sector provides employment for many of our people. That does not give them the right, though, to do as they please. It must be seen as a privilege to serve the public as a transportation sector worker. These drivers and conductors, including taxi drivers, should be given a course in customer relations before they are allowed on the streets of Jamaica. This course should not be at the government's expense but at the expense of the individual worker or vehicle owner.

discipline

Finally, as I drive down Spanish Town Road in the mornings, I almost have to act as a police officer at times, asking bus drivers to turn down the music and, in some cases, turn it off. I cannot imagine how people sit in a bus listening to music filled with curse words, and as loud as can be. If Jamaica is going to be transformed or get any better, we have to get back to some level of discipline in all sectors. I suggest that transport be one of those immediate areas.

I am,etc.,

REV HERRO BLAIR JNR

herroblair@yahoo.com

2 Acacia Ave,

Kingston 5