In his column of April 23, 2009, Devon Dick proposes alternatives to a gas tax and offers some interesting solutions. One finds it hard to disagree with him on cable, telephone and even TV taxes although the latter would probably be impractical to implement.

I must, however, part company with him on his visa requirement proposal. At a time when we are in a world recession and facing increasing competition from the Dominican Republic (even our own diaspora is vacationing there) and an ever more open Cuba, this is not the time to put any disincentive on travel to Jamaica.

Surprised at argument

As to the gas tax, I am surprised at his "burden" argument. It is archaic, at best. For such a small country by both population and physical size, Jamaicans consume too much fuel and conserve too little. Perhaps with an appropriate gas tax, we will all begin to think a little more closely about planning our travel, walking more, riding a bicycle and taking public transportation. It will certainly help to prepare us for a future where oil will become an even more expensive and precious commodity.

If the Government is smart, it will use a portion of this gas tax to provide proper, structured funding to the JUTC. Perhaps an adequate, air-conditioned, scheduled, all-island system with sufficient buses which the ordinary Jamaican will aspire to using, will displace their current aspiration of owning a four-year-old deportee.

I am, etc.,

NIMAL AMITIRIGALA

amitirig@gmail.com