Women fight ova bus seat-but see yah!

Two women came to blows over seats in a going from Portmore to downtown Kingston. Come on now is that necessary. People can fight over some stupid things though.
This was reported by
the "Jamaica Star." apparently the people on the bus and surrounding area love deh drama.

"The women were arrested after they traded fists over the scarce and precious commodity called a bus seat.

The incident occurred about 4:30 p.m., during the peak hour traffic, after a bus plying the Portmore to downtown Kingston  route stopped in Parade, downtown Kingston, to pick up and let off passengers. It is reported that persons rushed into the bus to secure the limited number of seats causing them to become scarce quickly. One of the women sat on a seat and placed her belongings beside her. Many persons attempted to sit on the seat but were prevented by the diminutive female."

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Chaos at New Halfway Tree Transport Centre

I remember as "lil Pickney" walking to school from Half Way Tree, up Constant Spring. This by way of Trafalgar Road and Hope Road. It was a long walk to Half Way Tree and then another couple of miles to school from there. Well, it wouldn't be if I didn't miss the bus all the time.

Many people have stated how this place had gotten that name. Some people say it is because of the large Cotton Tree under which many wary travellers would rest on their way from the city to the hills. Another theory was that his spot marked the halfway point between the two military barracks at Port Henderson and NewCastle. It was stated that when Oliver Cromwell ruled the colony that Royalist beneath the tree forced passerby to drink toasts to King James.

One thing that has always been a constant was Halfway Trees clock. Originally erected in 1913. Halfway Tree is home to St. Andrew Parish Church (and school) and the old court house.

Marking a New Era is the Halfway Tree Transport Center. Officially opened this past weekend, it serves a reminder to the population boom in the Kingston area. The stairways and some columns were wrapped in the National Colors(black, green and gold).
According to the Gleaner,

The Centre is beautiful, inside and out and with this beauty comes a challenge. The challenge is the task of keeping it that way."

However sadly their was not enough security and personnel to handle the throngs of people that came to use the center. Monday morning was a mess. A madhouse. Some people reported the wait time to purchase bus tickets anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
In addition, the state-owned Jamaica Urban Transit Company's (JUTC's) decision to change some route numbers frustrated many passengers who complained that they were not informed of the changes before yesterday.




School children took this as an opportunity to chill. They waited in the long lines or walked around trying to find the correct bus. Some schools did not get undeway until 9am (due to the absence of students).

"It is really a little more overwhelming than we had anticipated," Victor Green, general manager of the centre, admitted shortly after he attempted to calm a commuter who became angry after waiting awhile to get a bus.

The Centre was stated to be able to accommodate 49 buses at any one time and customers will be able to purchase tickets and Smart Cards On Location.


Bwoy is where deh "robot" dem?


source: Jamaican Observer

Transportation in Jamaica

Getting around in Jamaica is not sometimes the easiest thing to do. Some of the more adventurous travelers (tourist) sometimes even rent bikes to go into the high mountain areas. I remember someone asking me once do they have trains in Jamaica. Of course their are trains in Jamaica. However not more so to carry the Bauxite. In 1992 Passenger trains ceased operation. Although I have heard talk, due to the congestion with the cars the government is looking into bringing back rail operations.

Now cars of course are the best way of transportation around the island, and potholes are vehicles best friends. Rural areas have the worst upkeep history. Their are some roads that not only are still not paved, but are so underdeveloped that even the donkey is afraid to go there. Jamaica also has very little stoplights in the rural areas. I suggest bringing Dramamine or some other nausea medication for traveling country roads. They are known to be quite bumpy and sometimes can be very narrow. Riddle of the day if you are traveling on a narrow country road and another vehicle is approaching you, which vehicle has the right a way.

The answer is the one going down the hill, because that vehicle cannot back up. Though we do have many adventurous drivers in Jamaica. So even that answer may be a challenge.

One of the more cheaper or should I say "economical" ways of visiting Jamaica is by taking the bus. Their are daily excursions from many of the popular hotels to the attractions on the island. Local people use the buses sometimes to carry their wares to the marketplace. Jamaica has mini bus or robot. This is the bus that many of the "higglers," use.

Route Taxis are another way of getting around. However, if you are a tourist it is probably advisable make sure you get a "licensed taxi." Route taxis generally run between specific places, but if you're in the central taxi hub for a town you'll be able to find taxis going in any of the directions you need to go.

Route taxis don't run very far, so if you need to get half way across the island you'll need to take it in stages. If worst comes to worst, just keep repeating your final destination to all the people who ask where you're going and they'll put you in the right car and send you on your way. You may have to wait until the taxi has enough passengers to make the trip worthwhile for the driver, and many route taxis travel with far more people in them than a Westerner would ever guess was possible. If you have luggage with you, you may have to pay an extra fare for your luggage since you're taking up space that would otherwise be sold to another passenger.

















Jamaican -American style taxi




unlicensed Jamaican taxi




Becoming a fast form of transportation in Jamaica