Improving Our Transportation System

We have heard the complaints of private bus owners as it relates to their buses not being allowed to operate within the KMTR. I would like to sugggest a possible way of engaging these investors.

They could be incorporated into the JUTC's fleet. Allow me to expand.

The JUTC's chief dispatchers would be aware of the number of buses that they have available by 3 am each morning. The private bus crews would report to the chief dispatcher to receive a route assignment for the day based on the shortage of JUTC buses. The bus and its crew would be managed and regulated by the JUTC for the entire day.

Technology must be used to inform the chief dispatchers of buses and crews that are not eligible for dispatch. Either a system of rotation or 'first come first served' could be used to determine which buses and crews are utilized each morning.

There must be harsh penalties for breaches of the stipulated rules and regulations! 

In any event, someone must sit with these persons and inform them that we will not go back to the "DO IT ANYWAY YOU LIKE" system. The transportation of people requires the highest levels of safety and discipline.

Written by Andrew Nembhard

Improving Our Transportation System - Andrew Nembhard

We have heard the complaints of private bus owners as it relates to their buses not being allowed to operate within the KMTR. I would like to sugggest a possible way of engaging these investors.

They could be incorporated into the JUTC's fleet. Allow me to expand.

The JUTC's chief dispatchers would be aware of the number of buses that they have available by 3 am each morning. The private bus crews would report to the chief dispatcher to receive a route assignment for the day based on the shortage of JUTC buses. The bus and its crew would be managed and regulated by the JUTC for the entire day.

Technology must be used to inform the chief dispatchers of buses and crews that are not eligible for dispatch. Either a system of rotation or 'first come first served' could be used to determine which buses and crews are utilized each morning.

There must be harsh penalties for breaches of the stipulated rules and regulations! 

In any event, someone must sit with these persons and inform them that we will not go back to the "DO IT ANYWAY YOU LIKE" system. The transportation of people requires the highest levels of safety and discipline.

JUTC Needs To Take Action

The Following letter was sent to the JUTC by a listener to my programme:

  

Good day, sir. 

As a taxpayer who is employed to the Government of Jamaica, who is very near to retirement, who has been on a fixed salary for the past six years and who pays hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in taxes to my dear beloved country, I am again exercising my civic duty to write in regard to some issues that need to be addressed at the JUTC:

1. The opening of the driver’s window in the air conditioned JUTC buses. 

Each day of the week I travel on 4 JUTC buses to and from work. On Saturday 2 buses, on Sunday four buses. I am a regular user of these buses.
While I am the first to admit that there are more buses on the road, I cannot say the service has improved significantly.  Why are there so many JUTC buses running all over the KMTR with the driver’s window wide open, ear phone in their ears, their right hand outside of the buses and music blasting at the highest decibel?  Am I the only passenger who has observed this practice by these drivers?   And where is the chairman, the management, the supervisors, the employees of the JUTC, are they ALL blind?  On a daily basis dozens of buses are seen running in the KMTR being operated by out of control drivers.  What are the sanctions being brought against these drivers?  Sir, what are the functions of management?  1. To manage! Manage! Manage!!! What sanctions are being taken against these drivers? Every institution must have systems and procedures in place that staff must adhere to or else the workers will do as they like and the institution will collapse.

How do you communicate to your workers, sir?  This is an age of information, communication. Use all the available communication channels at your disposal to get your message to the staff - {meetings, bulletins, email, text message, memoranda,}. The message of the company must be clear and without ambiguity and it must include sanctions for those who breach the company’s policy.  But, is there any such policy? 

2. The leaking of the buses and the saturated beautiful padded seats. 

I have no doubt that the leaking of the buses is a direct result of the continuous opening of the windows.  The air conditioning vents are now pouring gallons of water on the passengers who have to resort to opening umbrellas inside of the buses to protect themselves.  Sometimes we step into the buses and sit only to find that we are sitting on a saturated seat from water coming from the vents.

Sir, how much does it cost the taxpayers annually to repair and maintain these multimillion dollar buses that are being allowed to be damaged by uncaring drivers?  

3. Scheduling.  

I am again appealing to the management that the scheduling of the buses be improved, in particular number 49.  The purpose is being defeated if you have to wait in Greater Portmore /HWT  for one hour on a bus, finally one bus turns up, all the passengers are forced to get on to that one bus because they do not know when another bus will come. En route to your home or work five, six buses pass with just a few passengers, half empty on the toll road.  Now, if the passengers knew that the next half an hour another bus would be coming they would not all force themselves on that one bus.

4. What amazes me in all of this is that the Premium buses have lost their status.  When that service started it was much better than the regular service so I made the sacrifice and took the premium.  The lick shot drivers have now taken over the premium service.  Last week I took one of the 320 the television was blasting at the highest decibel.  Up to this morning the driver of the 315 had his cap turned back ways, his window wide open and his right hand outside of the window.  Shameful!!  How do these drivers see themselves?  Do they see themselves as important human beings offering a very vital service to their nation?  I doubt it.

I am suggesting that systems be put in place immediately to curb some of these way ward practices by some of these drivers.

1.    that there be a month of grace for retraining, re socializing, communication and implementation. 

2.    first breach committed by a driver for loud music, opening of window, et cetera, a warning letter,

3.    second breach, deduction of one day’s pay,

4.    third breach deduction of two days’ pay,

5.    fourth breach, suspension without pay for one week.

6.    After three months an assessment be done with feedback from the public.  You would be amazed to see the marked improvement in these drivers’ attitude.  

There are indeed some good drivers employed to the JUTC, 17Ax, 20AX, and a number of the women.  The management just cannot allow this billion dollar company to be destroyed.     

I am inviting you to stand any day of the week  at Jamaica National in HWT across from the Transport Centre,  at the stop light at the top of Hagley Park Road, Portmore Mall and Downtown Kingston and count the number of air condition buses with the driver’s window open and their hands outside of the buses, earphones in ears and music blasting.  This needs to stop.

Management, please start managing.  In the days when there was no JUTC buses and we travelled by the Executive buses from Greater Portmore to New Kingston I have never seen one of those executive buses with their windows open.   Many of those buses are nearly 20 years old and they are still on the route.

Why is it that we have to destroy everything we call ‘GoJ property?   Mr Campbell, Mr Finnikin, it takes much more than rolling out of buses to run a bus company.  It takes policies, rules, guidelines, systems, structures, protocol, processes, and most of all communication.   Over to you, all.

YB

The Carnage On Our Roads!!!

LETTER TO AYS FROM A LISTENER

The Carnage

Similar to many persons, I too am very concerned about the level of carnage on our roads. This concern has been markedly increased with recent reports of twenty traffic fatalities in a seven day period.

Having observed the blatant disregard for and apparent ignorance of our road traffic laws along with the driving habits and practises of a significant number of our road users deteriorate steadily over the years, and being fully cognisant of each road users responsibility for their own safety, I place the blame squarely at the feet of our policy makers as well as the Police.

 

Producing License

The absolutely ludicrous situation which allows a driver five days to produce his/her drivers license must change. How many drivers with suspended licenses have slipped through this loop-hole, not to mention criminals.I certainly wish that someone could give a logical explanation as to why the road traffic laws were not amended a few years ago when this change was first attempted. Wouldn't the benefits of making it mandatory for drivers to be in possession their drivers license once they are operating a motor vehicle far outweigh any possible negative results. This is one instance, if it were not libelous, that I would say our law makers support criminality.

 

Recommendations

A significant part of the insanity which takes place on our roads daily has to do with how individuals are trained and subsequently obtain a drivers license. I recommend:

• The introduction of a "Driving Instructors Training Program" at Heart Trust-N.T.A. 
• Driving Instructors so accredited, as well as persons trained by them could be offered some incentives.  Insurance company's could offer special rates to clients trained by Driving Instructors with such a certificate.
• A system of having persons whose license have been suspended, be retrained by a certified Driving Instructor before being reinstated would be beneficial.
• Individuals with multiple license suspensions must be retested by an I.T.A. officer so accredited.
• There is need for a comprehensive review of the criteria to obtain a P.P.V license. When one observes the actions and behavior of public passenger vehicle operators, it is obvious that the caliber and training of persons wishing to be so certified is in need of a thorough review. Any such review must include persons desirous of becoming conductors.   
• We should seriously look at conducting periodic drug tests on all Commercial and PPV License holders.   
• There will have to be a significant increase in attempts to educate pedestrians on the proper use of the roads by utilizing not just the media but through the hands-on day-to-day interaction of specially trained police personnel. Utilizing the Safe Schools Program, our school children must be educated on the safe and proper use of the roads. 
• The practice of Commuters standing anywhere to wait on public transportation must stop.
• The dangerous practice of pedestrians crossing the roadway anywhere and at anytime, regardless of how close they are to a pedestrian crossing is cause for concern.
• By way of policy, a comprehensive and sustained road safety campaign must be introduced in our schools and work places.

 

Areas Of Focus

Whose idea is it to have the Police focus mainly on speeding at the same locations island wide year after year? What about the numerous other infractions which occur constantly?

What about overtaking at an unbroken white line? This seems to be par for the course along certain thorough fares. As it relates to parking illegally Downtown and in the New Kingston area, the K.S.A.Cseems to have things under control while adding to their coffers at the same time. If central government would follow this lead, wouldn't that add to the consolidated fund while placing more of the burden on those of us who transgress rather than law abiding citizens in the form of increased taxes.

I must stress that I am quite ignorant of all that the police does to improve road safety and driver compliance, but there seems to be a serious lack of police presence at many major intersections. What about an ad hock rotation of the monitoring of these locations. Wouldn't the utilization of unmarked police vehicles as well as plain clothed officers help.Traffic policing seems to lack innovativeness, forward planning and the requisite legislative support.

       

For example in the Liguanea/Kingston 6 area, I couldn't tell the last time I have seen a traffic cop on duty. As a result, every morning there is a grid-lock at Hope Road and Richings Avenue, not to mention the one at Liguanea Avenue. This is caused by drivers proceeding into the middle of the intersection before the vehicle ahead has moved forward enough for them to clear the intersection before the light changes. Isn't it an offence to block an intersection? Oh! did I mention those drivers turning right who believe that they have the right-of-way.

   

Taxis and other public passenger vehicles, including J.U.T.C buses stop to pick-up and set-down passengers anywhere, especially at Souvreign Centre heading east and at Liguanea Plaza heading west, causing increased and unnecessary traffic congestion.

The practise of many taxi operators to proceed straight after positioning their cars in the turn lane has become common place all over the city. 

The practise of stopping at a pedestrian crossing when the light is on green is dangerous and counterproductive. It is nothing short of a miracle that there has not been several serious accidents at the three 4-way intersections along Seymour Avenue. I am totally convinced that most drivers are not aware of how to use a 4-way intersection. 

Is no one aware of the excessive speeding by taxi drivers between Half Way Tree and Papine? There might very well be a severe shortage of speed monitoring devices, but the police must devise other innovative ways of impressing on persons the need to operate their motor vehicle in a safe manner.

Traffic Lights

The amber(yellow) light no longer means to stop if it is safe to do so, it means to go faster. In fact, you stand a high probability of being rear-ended if you stop when the light changes to amber. Now when it changes to red that is a totally different ball game. The red light means to follow every vehicle ahead of you that went through regardless of how long the light is on red. 

 

I am yet to see, on a regular and sustained basis, Police personnel who are not assigned to traffic duties, intervene in traffic related matters and more importantly,prosecute infractions. It cannot be a case of "I am not doing traffic duties or my current assignment is so important, I am unable to intervene". Until the aforementioned situation is addressed, I wouldn't even think of expecting an off-duty officer intervening in a traffic related matter in the same way that he or she would in a gun or other serious crime. Is it that there is no benefit to be derived as it relates to promotion? 

Police Not Attentive Enough

It is absolutely amazing to observe some of the blatant traffic infractions of which officers doing foot patrol seem to be completely oblivious, or couldn't care less. I appreciate the fact that policing can be quite difficult, but our Police officers must be taught to multi-function. Again, I make no claims of knowing all that the police is doing to deal with the indiscipline on our roads but much more must be done if things are to improve. 

The situation as it relates to discipline and the observance of all our road traffic laws has deteriorated to such a level that I seriously wonder if we haven't passed the point of no return. As many as two or more generations, including police officers know nothing but the chaos and indiscipline which takes place on our roads. Yes, even police officers regularly indulge in these bad practices.

When one observes the condition of many police service units, one wanders if what is good for the goose, isn't it good for the gander? I am fully aware of the extremely tight fiscal space within which we operate, so as a means on leveling the playing field, couldn't persons found operating a defective vehicle, once their drivers license is relatively "clean" be issued with a ticket which would not attract a monetary fine but require them to have the problem corrected in a specified time period. After which the nearest I.T.A. facility would verify that the requisite repairs were undertaken.   

We Stop And Park Anywhere

It has become quite normal to stop, park, reverse or make u-turns anywhere.

Failure to use turn signals and ensure that it is safe to do so before pulling back into traffic is a regular occurrence. Most drivers are unaware that it is illegal to have their headlights on while parked on the opposite side of a roadway. Are todays drivers aware that one is required to dim their headlights when approaching another vehicle in both directions? 

Education

I believe that with increased public education and ample warnings, in addition to fostering a culture of discipline and decency on our roads, the authorities could extract significantly more "contributions to national development" by way of increased citations for these seemingly minor offences.

Who Cares?

These infractions occur daily with impunity and one gets the feeling that no one really cares. If there is some kind of 'glitch' in the system, then it behoves those in authority to fix the problem, be it policy or operational. Things cannot continue like this!

Speeding is just the culmination of the wide spread indiscipline taking place on our roads and society in general.  

 

However, quite frankly, I have very little confidence that our system fraught with inefficiency and corruption will ensure that  persons are held accountable for their actions. 

 

I recommend that all motor cycles operate with "day-time running lights". This will significantly increase their visibility thereby reducing the possibility of inadvertent collisions.

The authorities should also look into the possibility of all vehicles being so equipped in the not too distant future.

Our Canadian and Scandinavian friends are experts when it comes to road safety and I believe that we can learn a thing or two from them. 

 

Finally, how does someone with multiple traffic tickets be allowed to continue driving? Why are they allowed to renew their drivers license, insurance or register a motor vehicle?

Obviously the solution is not rocket science, it seems to be more a lack of political will. 

We now have tablets in schools, and this is good, but how about equipping the police so as to allow them to be more pro-active in their daily activities.

Let me take this opportunity to persuade the police to be much more vigilant and use every legal means at their disposal to impress on our drivers the need to operate their motor vehicle in a safe manner, within the law, until our policy makers and to a lesser extent, the high command, take the necessary steps to do what is needed to implement meaningful and sustained improvements in the use of our roadways.  

 

Things can be much better. It seems as if the persons with the power to implement meaningful and positive changes have a vested interest in maintaining the status-quo. On the other hand, why do we the citizens allow things to continue in this way?

Views On JUTC From An AYS Listener

Good day,

Who To Blame?

Mr Campbell's interview on your station this morning is an example of the sophistry that the leaders of the JUTC have stooped to. In general he wants to blame the the indignity that has been forced upon so many of its commuters as the result of them waiting to act at the last minute.

The Smarter Cards

He says that there were several missed deadlines for the implementation of the smarter cards but failed to tell us that they were missed because of the absence of cards.(I infrequently use JUTC and applied for a card in February and it was finally made available in July).

He claims that the cards are free yet they have designed and implemented a procedure that forces people to leave money with them in advance. Why?

He claims that this was a well planned intervention yet it was plagued with unexplained shortages, the need for extra manpower and time, the abuse/mistreatment of citizens of this country and the heaping of unnecessary stresses on an already harangued populace at the start of a new school year. Clearly that was the intent or it is an example of the ineptitude of the management of the JUTC.

JUTC Caught Unawares

He would like us to believe that what we are experiencing is just the minor glitches expected when new systems are being implemented. There is nothing new here, we are replacing smart cards with smarter cards! A simple count of the smart cards already in use and an increase by some percentage to guide projections for the number of smarter cards needed, or the number of potential commuters that guided the decision to double the fleet should also have guided the projections for the number of smarter cards required any of the above would have greatly minimized or negated this confusion. It is clear now that JUTC was caught unawares and we were not worthy of the simplest of effort by these lofty individuals.

He claims that the cards are personalized for single person usage. This is not so.

Those Advertisements

We are now being bombarded with ads extolling the virtues of the JUTC, why wasn't this money spent on CLEARLY stating how this upgrade to the smarter cards would be handled?

I'm sick of the scorn and disrespect being heaped upon this populace but it appears we can never get enough of it.

Regards.

JUTC Discontinuation of Transfer System

From a Listener to At Your Service

JUTC

Firstly, Mr. Campbell did initially say that the Route 800 shuttle was among the buses that went Down Town. The Route 800 shuttle travels from Half Way Tree - Cross Roads via New Kingston. Based on a lot of what I hear him saying, it is obvious that he has a lot to learn about the bus Routes and the system in general. 

 

Secondly, the concept of a Hub utilizing a transfer system is supposed to improve efficiency regardless of the available fleet of buses. I wonder how many persons currently in management at the JUTC actually knows about "Municipal Public Transportation" 

 

While I fully appreciate the need for the JUTC to maximize income, there is definitely some thing inherently wrong with the proposed system. As explained by more than one caller, for example, persons in Patrick City must take the Route 32 bus to go Down Town via Half Way Tree using a transfer. Those persons located along the Routes 31 & 31A and wishing to go Down Town may use these buses. However, these buses don't usually operate on a timely basis and the Scheduled Headways will not adequately satisfy any increase in demand. 

 

Added to the fact that most routes have a very limited number of Express buses, persons will be required to pay significantly more for fares.

 

Why does a JUTC request for fare increases not go through the OUR?

Why is there no form of consultation?

Why has the JUTC never been hauled before the PAAC? 

 

I sincerely hope that we can get it right.

From Listener AN