Public transportation can be cost-effective for those of us who cannot afford the convenience of owning a car and its associated expenses. But the life of Jamaican commuters is a test of endurance. Only the fittest survive the harsh reality of our transportation system.
Passengers face a series of battles. Firstly, there’s the dreaded “turn off.” This is a commuter’s worst enemy. While it is usually a passenger’s request, it is only announced at the turn-off point .These turn-offs can be a quick stop or a journey to “Timbuktu.” What it does most times is interfere with other passengers’ time.
Then there is the battle of the taxi loaders and conductors who engage in a literal tug-of-war with our hands and luggage, as each one is on a mission to ensure their vehicle is packed past its maximum capacity.
Early mornings and late evenings are the face-off of the passengers. This happens in areas where there is a shortage in transportation due to traffic, police, or the passenger to taxi ratio. It is a first-come, first-serve competition, as each passenger fights to get the seat first. With coaster buses, it’s the contest of who sits and who stands.
The bumping, shoving, and squeezing are only the first round. Once you board the vehicle, the next challenge is to hold on for dear life as the driver blazes through tight traffic, hugging curbs and clearing anything in their way. If you are lucky, you may get a complimentary selection of extremely loud music and the pleasure of enduring that one person who can always be recognized by the stench.
Finally, there is no way we can forget the overpriced fare we are required to pay for the “express” or one set by the driver who believes the standard fare set by the government is not enough. While there are alternatives like JUTC and private pickups, they come with their own battles of timeliness and safety issues.
Sadly, we don’t see anything in proposed legislation, political promises, or manifestos that is likely to change this hostile system soon. So getting used to this harsh reality may be the only fallback for Jamaican commuters.