Officials from The Ministry of Transport and Aviation recently addressed bus drivers, owners and operators on what they are calling a “broken” public bus system.
In an important meeting held on Thursday past at The Kendal Isaacs Gym, the pressing issue of unifying the public bus system was discussed with all stakeholders involved.
“Together we can correct the wrong and fix those things that need to be fixed in the bus industry,” said Mr Jack Thompson, Road Traffic Controller.
He said that the main objectives for the meeting were to inform the public at large of the steps taken so far, for the unification of the system; to highlight the main points of the new proposed system and also to hear the suggestions, comments and opinions of people in the industry, on the new proposed system.
Archie Nairn, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, said to the audience, “Anyone who comes to the table with the purpose of breaking down the system and pulling it to the ground, we don’t need them in this industry. You need to find another place to go.”
“You have worked too hard and too long to bring it to this point. Now, we are at a juncture where we have to make a difference because of the demand and because of what we call ‘value for money’ in a service industry.”
He said official transportation plays a major role in the economic development of any nation. “We have to begin in our minds, in our thoughts and in our very being, to understand how critical this is to our little country,” Nairn said.
He told those present that the foundation for the new system has already been laid, but that now, it has to be built upon.
Also present at the meeting was Glens Hanna-Martin, Minister of Transport and Aviation.
In her brief remarks, she said that she was extremely pleased that stakeholders in the industry saw fit to come out and discuss the unification of the bus system.
She spoke of the ills in the present bus system and described it as “fragmented.”
She said that the present economic development within Nassau, has caused there to be ‘bumper to bumper traffic’ and stated that the issue of public transportation in New Providence, has to be addressed now.
By: VIRAJ PERPALL, The Nassau Guardian
