THE EDITOR, Sir:
MY WIFE and I were delighted to see the new JUTC buses in our neighbourhood. On my birthday April 26th, we decided to "test" this new service.
We arrived at the bus stop at 9:30 a.m. The bus arrived at 9:45 a.m. (15 minutes). While waiting, we struck up a conversation with a pleasant young chap who told us that his mother sent him out here to attend high school, as it is too dangerous to attend school in New York. (Is the grass always greener on the other side?)
When we boarded, we discovered that the bus was clean, spacious, and had many attractive features. The driving was fair, and I felt like I was driving in a new car. The journey through the dreaded Whitehall Avenue was pleasant. Not the fast, suicidal madness passengers used to experience.
We reached Half-Way-Tree Square at 10:05 a.m. (20 minutes). We encountered three negatives up to this stage; on two occasions, the driver extended his hand to greet passing motorists.
We left HWT, at 10:05 a.m. and reached Cross Roads at 10:15 a.m. (10 minutes). The journey to Downtown was smooth, uninterrupted, safe, and came to a halt at the terminus at 10:25 a.m. The entire trip from Havendale to Downtown took 40 minutes.
So we sat in the bus until it moved at 10:40 a.m. But before we moved, five juice sellers ascended the bus. I did not see any Inspector. Nip it in the bud now!
We reached Cross Roads at 10:50 a.m. Again, juice sellers ascended the bus. The inspector I saw ignored them. I imagine "coward man keep sound bone".
After leaving Cross Roads at 10:50 a.m. we reached Half-Way-Tree at 11:00 a.m. (10 minutes). We left Half-Way-Tree at 11:05 a.m. One negative at this stage, was when the driver stopped on Red Hills Road to engage in animated conversation with a shopkeeper. This is sheer madness. We finally disembarked at Border Avenue in Havendale at 11:20 a.m. feeling refreshed.
The entire round trip from start to finish (9:45 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.), lasted one hour and thirty-five minutes. This was excellent scheduling when you have to deal with stops and traffic congestion. This new bus service is almost on par with those in the metropolitan countries. It is now over to the public who by their behaviour will decide whether the bus service "will sink, or swim".
I wish to heartily congratulate the hard working Minister of Transport, Dr. Peter Phillips and his staff for providing Kingston and St. Andrew with a first class bus service. I unreservedly endorse this service, and suggest that more Jamaicans park the car and try it. You may be pleasantly surprised.
I am, etc.,
JOHN A. WILLIAMS
P.O. Box 1173
Kingston 8
