Two children travel in the front of this golf cart taxi in Hopewell, Hanover. Golf cart taxis are a popular form of transportation in the hillside community. - NORMAN GRINDLEY
IF YOU ARE travelling through Miles Town in Hopewell, Hanover, and you see a golf cart drive pass, don't be alarmed, you are not on a golf course, you have actually seen the preferred mode of transport in the community.
In the rural district, the golf carts known as "Caddy cabs" are the preferred means of travel. Although the community has fairly good roads and route taxis, a few young men have been using golf carts to transport residents and building equipment.
The golf carts started popping up in the community more than five years ago when the roads were too poor for cars to traverse and taxis refused to travel there. Although the roads have been repaired, residents continue to operate the carts.
Residents and the 'caddy drivers' who were hesitant about being highlighted in the media said they have been mostly transporting water and building supplies. However, THE STAR news team observed residents being carried on the golf carts. "Wi just a help out the people dem and carry water for them," a 'cab' driver said.
The roads in the community and several other areas which the carts travel to such as Look Out and Sea View are hilly. A drive through the community feels like riding a roller coaster with the surrounding steep hills and plunging valleys.
Caddy drivers would not state whether they collected money or how much they collect for their services. However THE STAR understands that a ride costs $50.
One resident said the cabs mostly come out in the peak hours in the morning and afternoon to
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