The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

ROAD Traffic Department officials have scheduled a meeting on Thursday with bus drivers over the controversial move of several downtown bus stops, which has caused consternation with drivers and passengers.

Executives from Public Transportation Representatives (PTR) yesterday said the group has “every intention” of attending the meeting.

PTR Chairman Harrison Moxey said the group is open to discussing ways to resolve a number of the issues that have affected the public transportation industry in recent weeks.

He said: “We have had constant communication with our drivers in preparation for this meeting. Heading into Thursday, we want to have a clear message when we sit down. We want them to understand all the problems we have, hear their concerns and see how we can fix this matter.

“We have always made it known that we are open to communicating with Road Traffic. Our passengers are being affected and that is something we are working to change,” said Mr Moxey.

Last week, bus drivers voiced their displeasure after the Road Traffic Department decided to restrict four bus routes from stopping in the heart of Bay Street.

The department 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.

On Monday, dozens of buses were delayed nearly 15 minutes after “chaotic conditions” led to a minor accident directly opposite the new bus stop. The sounds of car horns and loud complaints could be heard nearly 200 yards away as those annoyed with new industry regulation voiced their displeasure, many calling on the government to quickly reconsider the change.

Some bus drivers also congregated at Arawak Cay on Monday morning to protest the change, causing many passengers to have to wait a longer time to catch a bus.

Mr Moxey suggested that things will continue to get worse until Minister of Transport Glenys Hanna Martin sits down with the group to correct the matter.

Road Traffic Controller Ross Smith initially 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”.

He has indicated that 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.