Concerns about reckless jitney drivers for the Junkanoo parades on the Cable Beach strip may not be warranted, according to Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture officials.
They outlined their plans for transportation to the five parades, at a press conference on Wednesday.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Neville Wisdom said that the agreement is between his ministry and the Bahamas Omnibus Owners Association (B.O.O.A.) to shuttle ticket holders to and from the Junior Junkanoo and Junkanoo Float Parades.
Minister Wisdom said he felt that because all drivers will be paid, any competition for fares between them will be eliminated.
B.O.O.A. President Nicholas Jacques, who also attended the press conference, said that the drivers to be used for the parades were selected from the Association membership and were chosen because of their good standing and good personalities.
He also said that members of his association are “dedicated and committed to living up to our part of the deal, which is to provide transportation for the Junkanoo spectators.”
There will be 30 buses to transport Junkanoo patrons to and from the venue and five other
οΎ stand-by buses will also be on hand.
Parking has been allocated for Junkanoo enthusiasts at Fort Charlotte and the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre. Buses will begin transporting passengers to Goodman’s Bay on a regular schedule beginning two hours prior to the parades.
There will also be buses on hand for those spectators wishing to return to their cars at any time.
Ministry officials say that Junkanoo ticket holders and other authorised persons must show their tickets or accreditation for the parades to a Road
Traffic Official as they board the buses.
All buses will be clearly marked identifying them as Junkanoo shuttles and there will be specially designated pick-up and drop-off points, officials say.
Precise details have not been revealed regarding the security arrangements, but the authorities have assured that appropriate security will be in place to protect vehicles parked in allocated areas, passengers on the buses and at the Cable Beach venue.
The Junior Junkanoo Parade begins at 5 p.m. Friday. The float parades are scheduled to take place on Saturday 21 and Saturday 28 December beginning at 3 p.m.
By Julian Reid, The Bahama Journal
