By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
PEOPLE who rely on public transportation have been warned to “be ready for the chaos that is coming” due to the government’s changes to bus stops in downtown Nassau.
Reuben Rahming, deputy chairman of the Public Transportation Representatives (PTR), would not say if bus drivers will protest today, but suggested some fallout would occur.
“We can never say that all buses will be out and running, we just want our passengers to be ready for the chaos that is coming,” he told The Tribune yesterday.
“We are asking for the public’s understanding in this matter. Regular operation practices will now have to change when it comes to the way we take on and let off passengers downtown. You should expect long lines and a hectic atmosphere at the new stop in front of the Government Publication Building.”
Mr Rahming also called on Transport Minister Glenys Hanna Martin to arrange an urgent meeting to discuss the new industry regulation set to take effect today.
Association members claimed the new regulations put both passengers and drivers at risk for “unnecessary confrontation”.
During a press conference last week, PTR drivers voiced their displeasure over a recent decision by the Road Traffic Department to restrict four bus routes from stopping in the heart of Bay Street.
The Road Traffic Department posted signs and circulated notices around the island informing drivers and passengers that as of February 2, stops for routes 1, 7, 16a and 21a would be relocated in front of the Government Publication Building on Bay Street.
At the time Mr Rahming indicated that industrial action was a possibility, but did not specify the group’s plans.
The bus drivers claimed that Bay Street merchants are using issues surrounding the public transportation industry as a guise to rid downtown of Bahamians and called on Prime Minister Perry Christie to overrule the decision.
Mr Rahming said: “All (buses) coming into downtown can only stop on Frederick Street, George Street or at the new stop. Those are the only legal stops in the Bay Street area. The only other legal stops in the downtown area are near CR Walker and opposite the Bank of the Bahamas on Shirley Street.”
“Regardless of traffic flow, safety hazards, lines or locations we need the public to understand that it is against the law for our drivers to stop or let off passengers at any other point on Bay Street.”
Road Traffic Controller Ross Smith called the relocation of the downtown stop from its original site near Royal Bank of Canada to the Government Publication Building “the result of a long process”.
According to Mr Smith, his office had received a number of complaints about the placement of the Royal Bank stop and had toyed with the idea of relocating the stop to other locations.
Mr Smith added that he feels the pain of the drivers and was willing to meet with the group to improve this situation. He did say, however, that the new regulated stop near the Government Publication Building would stand despite the demands of drivers.
Comments
asiseeit 9 years, 2 months ago
The law never stopped them before.
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 2 months ago
How will anyone notice a difference? Chaos is just a normal day on a jitney....
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 2 months ago
JITNEY DRIVERS IN NASSAU NEVER, EVER, FOR ANY REASON, EVER USE BUS STOPS ANYWAY. Where do these criminals get off complaining about moving bus stops?!?!? These scum bags will still let people out any damn where they please. They'll still drive on sidewalks. They'll still stop in the middle of the road. They'll still drive the wrong way down a one way street to get to a shortcut. They'll still drive at 100 mph when they get a clear street.
Why is anyone listening to these scumbags?
Hogfish 9 years, 2 months ago
scumbags? you are being too kind. ALL jitney drives are low life pieces of shit.
duppyVAT 9 years, 2 months ago
This is the fault of the politicians who give out bus franchises like taxi plates, mailboat contracts, building contracts etc. So they made the problem over the past 50 yeras so FIX it!!!!
TruthHurts 9 years, 2 months ago
I agree with you!
TruthHurts 9 years, 2 months ago
"...ALL jitney drives are low life pieces of shit. "
I don't like them as much as the next guy, but my Lord..please have a little consideration for those that are trying to do a good job regardless of being at a such a disadvantage. Being in that profession is a different rat race entirely. Between servicing a majority of ungrateful, condescending, exploitative free-loading Bahamians (as well as some immigrants), gang bangers and hoodlums etc., one would evolve into such. So it's not without reason.
Long story short, being a bus driver doesn't bring out one's best attributes, let's not be so harsh to judge.
**They can't say I never took up for 'em! lol This coming from someone they ran off the road once.
John 9 years, 2 months ago
When you listen to the Road Traffic Controller in the media, you can understand why things are going the way they are with public transportation: chaotic. This man sounds like a parrot who is singing for his supper and does not seem accommodating, proactive or concerned about the persons who use public transportation. Public transportation is supposed to be designed to accommodate and cater to the masses who use the service, allowing convenient and regularly service bus transportation that is reliable. The service should be available on routes that are popular with those who catch the bus and have stops that are in close proximity to hospitals, clinics, libraries, shopping center, sporting facilities and of course downtown. When the Miami transit Authority rescheduled it buses it included stops at the Miami arena, at major shopping areas and to populated areas. This blind authority here seems to be doing the complete opposite. They seem to be building a bus service that is as invisible as possible.
duppyVAT 9 years, 2 months ago
He was a sweetmouth swindling grindsman in education so .................... he will do the same in the RTD ................. SIGH
John 9 years, 2 months ago
The standard of bus drivers has improved over the last 5 years. Like the drivers say it is not an easy job operating one of the largest vehicles on the road on the busiest streets in Nassau and having to make frequent stops in the middle of traffic congestion where there is no proper stopping area Other motorist are intolerant of the buses and consider them a nuisance, the police is constantly at war with them, sometimes issuing so many tickets to one driver that he is forced to quit the job or go bankrupt and jitneys also serve a sometimes hostile public, some who refuse to pay to ride, some who vandalism and destroy the buses and many who rob drivers and even other passengers. Unlike the Bahamas where authorities seem to have joined in the hostility against the public transportation system many cities have enacted laws to make the buses safe and give stiff penalties to persons who damage buses or interrupt the services. They offer drivers training in public service driving and customer service and any driver in distress is given priority response from the police. Imagine if the thousands of persons that use the buses daily decide to get private vehicles to get around...all of us would be stuck in traffic til tomorrow!
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 2 months ago
Pull on the side and only stop at legitimate bus stops. It's annoying when they stop every 2 ft for lazy people
DillyTree 9 years, 2 months ago
Take away all the jitney franchises and make them one public transportation company. Hire drivers that will follow the rules or be shown the door. No union nonsense, and no racing to pick up riders. One ticket for every route or bus and even a monthly pass or whatnot that is good on ALL jitney buses. Make it a professional operation with established routes and only pick up at designated bus stops. Where are the police when this nonsense occurs.
Sickened 9 years, 2 months ago
Where are the police when any nonsense occurs? 911 probably still doesn't work. Call a police station and they never have a car available to investigate. This country is run by morons who employ morons at the highest levels. Unless we stop the madness now, we will have another 20 years of worse shit to look forward to.
John 9 years, 2 months ago
They tried that at least getting passengers to have exact change or purchase tickets and deposit them in the till. The passengers didn't cooperate and some of the rogue bus drivers who wanted to 'make a lil side change' like most people in this country. But maybe it's time now to revisit that plan so drivers can reduce time having to make change and focus more on the road.
tyrakd 9 years, 2 months ago
The thing is, the new bus stop in front of The Government Publication building will create more chaos and more traffic congestion than before. Traffic will no longer be backed up by Royal Bank (which police officers had running smoothly), but rather will be backed up at the new bus stop. Oh well... I don't drive so that wont concern me.
Sickened 9 years, 2 months ago
I agree. The stop in front of Publications is even worse because a lot of those jitneys then need to immediately change lanes to go up towards the hospital and inevitably the jitneys stop again right on the corner to pick up even more lazy passengers who don't want to walk 50 feet to the Publications bus stop.
jackbnimble 9 years, 2 months ago
Who thought of this? If I have to walk from the Hilton hotel to Govt. Publications to catch a bus to the bridge that would be a nightmare. I can't imagine someone having to go through this every day - especially if they are old or disabled.
NeedMoreCoffee 9 years, 2 months ago
DillyTree is exactly right. The professionalization of industry in general, jitney's included, would stop this everyday nonsense.
John 9 years, 2 months ago
The move to get Bahamians off Bay Street (and Paradise Island) was started years ago. Then the tourists were discourage from coming over the hill. That was the first nail in the coffin of Bahamian entertainers and night clubs. Now lets watch and see what happens when Bah Mar opens on Cable Beach. They pushed us South now they pushing us further South and South West (where the Haitians use to live, So they have to deport the Haitians dem to make room for we. With all the empty and vacant property Downtown you saying if the government didn't have intentions of doing so, they cannot aquire a piece of land and set up a proper bus terminal? While the land is still available? Tourists use the bus too or maybe they forgot that! Don't be surprised if Bahamians, who low enuff to go, be banned from attending Junkanoo Carnival! ( Held in the Bahamas but not for Bahamians)
duppyVAT 9 years, 2 months ago
WHAT IS WRONG WITH MAKING BAY STREET (HILTON TO THE BRIDGE) A VEHICLE FREE ZONE????????? THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS 20 YEARS OVERDUE ............. ITS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO CLEANING UP BAY STREET AND MAKING IT WORTH BROWSING FOR LOCALS AND TOURISTS ALIKE.
ProfessorTinker 9 years, 2 months ago
Hello Duppy Vat you stated
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH MAKING BAY STREET (HILTON TO THE BRIDGE) A VEHICLE FREE ZONE????????? THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS 20 YEARS OVERDUE ............. ITS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO CLEANING UP BAY STREET AND MAKING IT WORTH BROWSING FOR LOCALS AND TOURISTS ALIKE."
This is an excellent idea. It will make the area less congested, cleaner, brighter and it can create an industry for bike cycle rental. The blockage can start from the Hilton down to the first red light which is East Street. Free Car Zone. Also the back road behind the straw market by Senior Frog.
Good idea Duppy Vat, I will air this on the radio when I return next week.
duppyVAT 9 years, 2 months ago
Please do .................... but this was raised a while ago ........... politicians do not want to change the status quo ........... thats the problem
asiseeit 9 years, 2 months ago
Duppy - The politicians and their crony's are the main problem with the ENTIRE Bahamas. You think if we had an honest, accountable, transparent, government system we would have 1/4 the problems we have today??? Not a chance! The politicians and their crony's are the disease that is eating away at our country.
duppyVAT 9 years, 2 months ago
DITTO
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