BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - DRIVER of the East Line Bus Service took to the streets yesterday (Mar. 15) morning to air their grievances and protest against alleged issues being brushed aside by the authorities.
Among some of the issues that the drivers aired were the lack of crossing guards, soliciting of passengers outside of the terminal, and the failure of the Government and Police Force to address the concerns expressed at the terminal facility.
The drivers began their protest at the terminal by blocking both the entrance and exit of the facility before walking down to Church Street to continue their protest in front of Government Headquarters.
Ronald Isaac, Public Relations Officer of the East Line Bus Association, told reporters that since the terminal was opened in 2018, officials promised to have their expressed concerns rectified; but nothing has been done since then.
He noted that several appointments were made to have an engagement with the Prime Minister, but to no avail.
“The last person we were supposed to go to was the Prime Minister. We went down there a couple of times. The girl says to make an appointment to see. We already went and make an appointment…and up to now no appointment.”
Isaac stated that the terminal was opened back in 2019 and the drivers at the time had raised concerns about its layout, security and it being a fire hazard.
He noted that officials from the Public Works Ministry had promised to address those concerns at the beginning of the new year.
President of the East Line Bus Association, Jefferson Pemberton lamented that they have suffered enough after numerous years of being neglected.
He explained that a number of promises were made to drivers by the Government, through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, and none of them have been fulfilled.
“In fact, in Parliament, he mentioned that they would be assisting us in whatever way for us to ply our trade and that was not done,” Pemberton noted.
