Taxi Operator Safety Remains Cause For Concern

The safety of taxi operators remains a matter of concern for taxi associations across the island. The frequency of these incidents has led to drivers ending work at earlier hours, often leaving passengers stranded with limited options to get home.

Almost a week ago, a taxi operator was held at gunpoint and robbed of cash and his car along the south borough roundabout in Portmore, St Catherine. The St Catherine South police report that the car has been recovered and a suspect arrested and charged.

He is 25 year old Cheddo Murray also known as Diego, a graphic artist of Daytona Portmore in St. Catherine. He has been charged with robbery with aggravation and illegal possession of a firearm. It is alleged  that last Wednesday, Murray and another man boarded a taxi posing as passengers. He reportedly brandished a gun and robbed the taxi driver who escaped and reported the matter to the police. Murray was later placed on identification parade and pointed out by the driver.

While this is a break though for law enforcement, other Portmore taxi operators are unimpressed.

“At least seven o’clock or so, we try to get off the road because we don’t feel safe on the road, especially the Spanish Town and Hellshire route,” one taxi driver said.

Now, for some of these taxi operators, this is their only source of income. With several of their colleagues being robbed by armed men posing as passengers, many are ready to leave the job.

“I wouldn’t  even say in the back of my mind, it is in the front of my mind right now – really don’t feel safe,” another taxi operator told CVM LIVE.

President of the Transport  Operator  Development Sustainable Services, Egeton Newman says many operators refuse to work late hours and prefer to carry passengers who they are more familiar with.

“Right now, there are some 27 taxi operators that have been killed by hoodlums, robbed and killed. 27 bus operators and 2 taxi operators,” he shared.

He is now calling on taxi and bus operators to invest in their own security by purchasing dash cams and other surveillance equipment.

KHADIJAH THOMAS