I've deliberately refrained from commenting on the 'new' Downtown bus system but one can hold out so long and no more. Let me categorically state before I go into 'cuss' mode that I am not against change, in fact, I'm an advocate for change. I love development and improvements and nothing would make me happier than to see Jamaica move from developing status to a fully developed nation.
Having said all of that, I strongly believe that the people who recommended the 'new' changes have never taken a bus in all their life! I say this because some of the foolishness that I see in this 'new' transportation system just piss me off!!!
Although I was worried about the day the changes took effect, I decided to view the system with an open mind and judge it solely on its merits. I would listen to nothing (whether negative or positive) that was said by anyone about the system. All of what I would say or feel about the 'new' system would be based on my experience. And man, what an experience it's been so far!!!
On the first morning that I went Downtown after the big launch, I noted that the JUTC buses no longer stopped in the bus park on Pechon Street but instead journeyed to Parade. Great!!! no more long walking, I thought, 'this is nice'!
Then the confusion and discombobulation began...... I walked around to where I usually board the taxi that plies the Downtown to Cross Roads route (via South Camp road) only to be greeted by a bevy of big-bodied women in grey and white. They were 'guarded' by men wearing blue with vests, cannisters and holsters. As if those weren't intimidating enough, they pointed rifles seemingly at no-one but their faces dared you to 'try sumpin noh'.
I braved all of that and asked one of the grey and white clad women, where the taxis were which went to Cross Roads. She informed me that there were no such taxis and that I should proceed to North Parade to board the bus that plies on that route... my friends, I told her as I am now telling you, I have been working on Camp Road for over three years and I have never seen a JUTC bus on that route!
The problem with the grey and white lady's response as is with JUTC is communication. The lady's response was curt and stopped short of being 'short' with me. I cannot understand for the life of me where they find these people to interface with the commuting public. It's like they search for the worst of the worst and just thrown them into the position!
JUTC's communication problem is not just a system problem, it seems as if it is system-wide (that's for another convo). But you are having such drastic changes, and its on the first and busiest morning of the changes that you put in place a 'town crier' system to bark the new instructions to people! There was no personalized touch. JUTC also has a further problem called 'follow-through'... you cannot remove taxis from the street and do not replace them with buses... how are people suppose to find their way around? I concur that persons must use legal means of transportation but this 'chaka chaka' way of doing business will keep Jamaica forever in a developing nation status.
We all want change and betterment for our country but communication must be one of the tools that we use for this betterment... step up JUTC and do better man!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Downtown Kingston = colour!
I am by no means well travelled. In fact, in total I have been to about four countries in my lifetime. Notwithstanding, I believe that there is no where in the world as colourful as Jamaica and in particular Downtown Kingston. When I speak of colour, I speak not merely of the bright yellows, reds, pinks and blues that are sported both in hair color and attire but just the diversity of the locale.
Wondering what I am talking about? Well, allow me to take you on a journey…
Its 8:00 am on a regular weekday morning, the bus pulls into the bus park and you are greeted with a myriad of sounds and scents… a bus conductor bellows ‘Garvey Drive, Portmore’. Meanwhile, the music of Vybz Kartel blares from a nearby sound system. Yes! Although it’s 8 am, sound systems do play, and rather loudly at that time of the morning. The scents are usually a mix of weed; breakfast items being prepared, overnight garbage and yes, yucky armpits!
Looking around, you’ll notice vendors unpacking their goods for the day. Walk a few more steps and you hear sounds of another kind… a church service is underway! A young man articulates the unknown tongue while others join in lusty singing and worshipping… this is but a few metres from where Vybz Kartel encourages some poor, unsuspecting girl to ‘set good like the ice inna freeza’ . Take a few more steps and two men are fighting… no one knows why but one thing is certain, the younger one is receiving a healthy beating from his opponent!
Turn the corner and head up Beckford Street…. ‘Dem Pants Yah’ one young man shouts. ‘A dem pants yah a dweet… $500 a one’. Walk a few steps more and an even more animated vendor draws a crowd around his cart. He not only sells his merchandise, he models them too… a bra stuffed with newspaper is over his t-shirt and a frilly underwear is sported over his jeans. Where else in the world can you find such colorful personalities?
Of course, the colour also extends to the language and look of the people… Downtown people have the Bounti Killa look, locked. Whether they are expressing themselves to each other or just expressing themselves generally, they must come off as cross, angry and extremely miserable. Not to mention the language… there is always a twist on words. Nothing is really what it means when you’re Downtown. Statements must be punctuated with ‘yaad-like’ affirmations. I would suggest that you ‘get wid it’ if you intend to go Downtown and have a conversation with anyone… just so that you don’t get into any trouble… lol!
Then there is the constant ‘race’ between the vendors and the police, who the vendors happen to call ‘di bwoy dem’ or ‘blue bag’. Watching the daily ‘run up and down’ between the police and the vendors is a trip. I maintain that I could not survive in a job where I am constantly running with my goods. I’m amazed though at how quickly these vendors move with tons of goods slung over their backs. Guess they’ve had lots of practice!
Love it or not, Downtown Kingston is a lively place and its lively in its look, feel and scents. This is part of my daily journey that I cannot see myself ever giving up.
Peace!
Wondering what I am talking about? Well, allow me to take you on a journey…
Its 8:00 am on a regular weekday morning, the bus pulls into the bus park and you are greeted with a myriad of sounds and scents… a bus conductor bellows ‘Garvey Drive, Portmore’. Meanwhile, the music of Vybz Kartel blares from a nearby sound system. Yes! Although it’s 8 am, sound systems do play, and rather loudly at that time of the morning. The scents are usually a mix of weed; breakfast items being prepared, overnight garbage and yes, yucky armpits!
Looking around, you’ll notice vendors unpacking their goods for the day. Walk a few more steps and you hear sounds of another kind… a church service is underway! A young man articulates the unknown tongue while others join in lusty singing and worshipping… this is but a few metres from where Vybz Kartel encourages some poor, unsuspecting girl to ‘set good like the ice inna freeza’ . Take a few more steps and two men are fighting… no one knows why but one thing is certain, the younger one is receiving a healthy beating from his opponent!
Turn the corner and head up Beckford Street…. ‘Dem Pants Yah’ one young man shouts. ‘A dem pants yah a dweet… $500 a one’. Walk a few steps more and an even more animated vendor draws a crowd around his cart. He not only sells his merchandise, he models them too… a bra stuffed with newspaper is over his t-shirt and a frilly underwear is sported over his jeans. Where else in the world can you find such colorful personalities?
Of course, the colour also extends to the language and look of the people… Downtown people have the Bounti Killa look, locked. Whether they are expressing themselves to each other or just expressing themselves generally, they must come off as cross, angry and extremely miserable. Not to mention the language… there is always a twist on words. Nothing is really what it means when you’re Downtown. Statements must be punctuated with ‘yaad-like’ affirmations. I would suggest that you ‘get wid it’ if you intend to go Downtown and have a conversation with anyone… just so that you don’t get into any trouble… lol!
Then there is the constant ‘race’ between the vendors and the police, who the vendors happen to call ‘di bwoy dem’ or ‘blue bag’. Watching the daily ‘run up and down’ between the police and the vendors is a trip. I maintain that I could not survive in a job where I am constantly running with my goods. I’m amazed though at how quickly these vendors move with tons of goods slung over their backs. Guess they’ve had lots of practice!
Love it or not, Downtown Kingston is a lively place and its lively in its look, feel and scents. This is part of my daily journey that I cannot see myself ever giving up.
Peace!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Be optimistic ... it's a new year!
Last night, I had the pleasure and awe of viewing the very last newscast for 2010... pleasure because many persons, both known and unknown to me, could not have shared that opportunity with me as they are no longer here. And awe because of the response to the poll question asked during the news. It asked 'Are you optimistic about the new year 2011?', 54% of respondents said 'yes'. Personally speaking, I am sorry for the 46% that voted 'no'.
Let us look at the meaning of the word 'optimistic'... according to www.dictionary.com, it means 'disposed to take a favorable view of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.' The response, if it could be taken at any scientific value means that almost half of the population is pessimistic about 2011!!!
Call me unrealistic, fuzzy-eyed, over-enthusiastic or whatever, I am an optimist just for the heck of it! I believe that once I am still alive, I have an opportunity to make a wrong situation right, fix a broken relationship or finish a project... I think life is the ultimate gift and no, I am not making light of anyone's situation, I'm just saying that once you are still here, there is an opportunity to change some things.
I am certain you've heard the saying 'if you do what you have always done, you'll get what you have always got'. Maybe you require a radical change in your situation... it therefore means that you need to change what you always do and your results may be different! If you're in debt, maybe it means living within your means!
All I am saying, don't be pessimistic about a situation that you have not yet encountered. It's like Marcus Garvey said, 'If you have no confidence [in self], you are twice defeated in the race of life.' Consider 2011 as the 'race of life' and if you enter it without confidence, you will be defeated. If you don't believe in the system, it's okay, believe in your skills and abilities and draw strength and hope from your true friends, your families and your God and you will find all you need to succeed.
A happy, prosperous and joyous 2010 to you!
Let us look at the meaning of the word 'optimistic'... according to www.dictionary.com, it means 'disposed to take a favorable view of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.' The response, if it could be taken at any scientific value means that almost half of the population is pessimistic about 2011!!!
Call me unrealistic, fuzzy-eyed, over-enthusiastic or whatever, I am an optimist just for the heck of it! I believe that once I am still alive, I have an opportunity to make a wrong situation right, fix a broken relationship or finish a project... I think life is the ultimate gift and no, I am not making light of anyone's situation, I'm just saying that once you are still here, there is an opportunity to change some things.
I am certain you've heard the saying 'if you do what you have always done, you'll get what you have always got'. Maybe you require a radical change in your situation... it therefore means that you need to change what you always do and your results may be different! If you're in debt, maybe it means living within your means!
All I am saying, don't be pessimistic about a situation that you have not yet encountered. It's like Marcus Garvey said, 'If you have no confidence [in self], you are twice defeated in the race of life.' Consider 2011 as the 'race of life' and if you enter it without confidence, you will be defeated. If you don't believe in the system, it's okay, believe in your skills and abilities and draw strength and hope from your true friends, your families and your God and you will find all you need to succeed.
A happy, prosperous and joyous 2010 to you!
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