Drivers put safety first

July 31, 2007

Dear Sir,

Re: Concerns at DPT

First, I would like to advise the public that the Public Transportation Board is now a Government Department and is now called the Department of Transportation (DPT). The Board now acts as an advisory committee.

I have been made aware that the Bus Operators and Allied Workers of the DPT have been the forerunners in making changes for road safety and have always been subjected to controversy and derogative slander.

Let us remember that the Dockyard area would not have been declared safe if it was not for their efforts to highlight potential dangers if Pender Road had not been made one way. We declined to service this area until it was rectified safer for our road users.

The Bus Operators and Allied Workers have been on a work to rule since Monday, July 9, 2007. Thus there has been no overtime or any sightseeing done because as road users they can see the potential danger surrounding the reversing of the buses on Washington Street which is supported to be a "no through" fairway.

Since the opening on February 2, 2006, of the Central Terminal concerns have been raised regarding the safety of the operators while reversing, the children and others who continually sit on the kerb in front of where the bus stops in the bays, and the pedestrians who walk between and behind the buses. Safety at Central Terminal is the main concern.

There have been several meetings involving the management of DPT, Police representatives, Corporation of Hamilton and Works & Engineering.

The Division resolved on five points to enhance the safety of the Terminal. It is felt by most of the operators that while reversing someone could be seriously injured as the traffic driving through most times does not adhere to the instruction given by the Traffic Supervisor to stop, thus endangering them.

Some of the operators have had many collisions and have been ticketed for due care while just trying to do their job reversing from these bays and of this is not being fair.

It would be appreciated if the public could be sympathetic and understanding of the actions taken to bring attention to these safety concerns but information had been withheld but visible changes are now being made because of the threat of no service for the holidays and especially no sightseeing.

It is clear that the Operators will submit to the needs of the community but please be aware that safety is the primary concerns at the Central Terminal. This has been submitted because this is a very serious issue and the Bus Operators need support.

CONCERNED CITIZEN

Pembroke