Janet Silvera, Freelance WriterWESTERN BUREAU:
A NEW transportation centre, built at an estimated cost of $1.5 million, is now in use for route taxi operators in Montego Bay.
The facility, donated by the St. Paul's United Church, will serve approximately 30,000 commuters from the areas of Salt Spring, Rosemount, Green Pond and Farm Heights.
For close to two years the church has had to contend with scores of route taxi operators whose boisterous behaviour, foul language and congestion of the Market Street and King Street areas have affected their meetings and services.
The Church decided to put up land located mid-point on Union Street, formerly property that laid idle.
The church was not the only entity affected by the drivers. Several motorists has been inconvenienced by the some of the taxi operators who have been known to park, with parts of their vehicles jutting out into the road, causing traffic jams at the traffic lights at King and Market Street.
But the situation was also stressful for the operators themselves who were often forced to jostle for parking slots, in order to maximise their day's earnings.
Many of the operators welcomed the change. "It's a very good thing and given time it will work," said Edu Murray, taxi operator. "There was so much hassle. We had to be running up and down trying to get into line, we also got a lot of harassment from the police."
Commuters are also pleased with the move. Some, though, are complaining that the distance they have to walk to get to the centre is a bit far.
"The area is nice but too far, (but) it's more convenient than having to stand up on the street side, if the drivers comply with the rules this should work very well," said Melissa Madden.
She was concerned about using the park at nights.
The new centre houses an office, public restroom and a tuck shop and will remain open until 10:00 p.m. at nights, drivers using the park will pay a fee of $40 per day. So far electricity has not been installed and sections of the entrance need to be re-paved.
