By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
IN an emotional testimony about the kidnapping and rape of his niece, a former driver urged public transportation drivers to clean up the industry.
Stakeholders engaged in heated discussion at a public transportation workshop on Friday to sensitise bus operators to public concerns.
The former driver urged bus owners and operators to report deviant drivers, adding that delinquent persons were destroying the industry.
He explained that his niece was kidnapped last year after taking a public bus, then drugged and gang raped for two weeks before she was found. He added that the case was still open.
The former driver said: “Now she’s in and out of Sandilands, she was a 14-year-old girl. A three point student who happened to catch the wrong bus. Every time I see my niece it brings tears to my eyes, innocent young girl, future gone.
“You guys who are here, who are above board, and upright get on them set because they are giving you a bad name,” he said. “Them set who doing fool get on them, report them because today it’s my niece, tomorrow it’s you. They don’t discriminate.”
Joined by Road Traffic and Public Transport Authority officials, Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin hosted the workshop, which featured sessions on customer service and traffic laws. Mrs Hanna-Martin announced the launch of a public transportation hotline to provide immediate response to concerns from motorists.
Major concerns levelled by the public included speeding and reckless driving; disrespectful behaviour and inconsistent route schedules.
“This dialogue,” said Mrs Martin, “indicates how complex the issue is. There are issues involving infrastructure, new highways with no bus stops, the issue involving a fragmented public transportation system with hundreds of individual franchise holders and their drivers and a highly negatively competitive situation. The problem was raised about education for some of these bus drivers on what the law is, as well as the public. There are concerns about passengers, sometimes passengers don’t want to pay their fares and that is an offence. There are safety issues.
She added: “It’s a good first step, it wasn’t that easy but it’s the beginning of a course of action that will be sustained and will continue with additional meetings and education. Clearly the public has concerns about the public transport system, and (Friday) we got an insight into the concerns that (drivers) have.”
Comments
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 2 months ago
Something has to be done about these evil jitney drivers man. I want to see jitney drivers go to jail now. It is about time. They have been endangering our lives for decades now, disrespecting us and our laws. It is time we take this scourge seriously and start jailing the scum that seems to be so prevalent among their ranks....
John 10 years, 2 months ago
Unfortunately so many young people are drawn towards these deviant bus drivers. Those who play the loud music, allow fraternizing on their vehicles or even sell drugs to their passengers. There are at leas15 taxi drivers, charged with murder, rape or other serious offenses who are still driving our tourists, with ankle bracelets on. For them its like a new piece of jewelry or fashion accessory. How many bus drivers are of similar fate? People will be quick to jump and say "well why you trying to take bread outta people mouth?" Well reality check! Persons should know that when they go and do heinous and serious crimes, murder included, they will be excluded from certain activities and privilidges. Bus drivers should not be persons on bail or convicted murderers and rapists. The fate of the 14 y/o girl is reason enough!
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 2 months ago
Doesn't some agency have to give them a licence to operate a commercial vehicle? I mean seeing they they have people of all ages in their hands. Alcohol tests, drug tests, police record etc...There must be some criteria. I can't believe I could just get up one day and decide I'm driving a bus ...
Interesting 10 years, 2 months ago
This is a sad state of affairs. Anytime an adult works with and around children, he/she should have a background check. We often think of this in the school environment. This should also apply to community organizations, churches as well as taxi and jitney drivers. Times have changed and so must the requirements for working around our children.**
sheeprunner12 10 years, 2 months ago
And the government wants to fingerprint teachers while the bus drivers run wild?????????
Sounds like the bus drivers need to be drug-tested, fingerprinted, HIV-tested, IQ-tested, mentally and physically screened, Bahamahost tested.................... and do extended drivers education
Who is going to regulate another rogue, cannabalistic, mostly unregulated sector in this country????
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