The Editor, Sir:

I don't want to be a harbinger of doom and gloom but I am a realist and have to disagree with Mr. McKoy (letter, January 7) for suggesting revival of the railway system.

I disagree for two reasons: The first is for selfish reasons. Should the railway return, my parish, St. Thomas would not benefit directly, as I don't think we would be considered in the link-up with Kingston, just as we have been left out of the next phase of the highway extension programme. And yet we have some of the worst roads on the island.

Murderous gunslingers

Second and most importantly, the rail passengers would become sitting ducks for our murderous gunslingers who would think nothing of holding up passengers en route, robbing them, jumping off at the next stop and disappearing into the ether, never to be found and punished.

I guess armed guards could be positioned in each car, as a deterrent but would this make passengers feel safer or more worried when bullets start flying over their heads?

It's a downright disgrace that development and advancement of the country's infrastructure could potentially be hampered in such a way by the growing criminal elements among our own people, turning law-abiding people into paranoid, nervous wrecks, scared of their own shadows, after dark or sometimes, even in broad daylight.

I am, etc.,

M. WILLIAMS

marwilla@aol.com

St. Thomas

Via Go-Jamaica