BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE custom was that one who wished to utilise an omnibus could stand anywhere along any bus route and embark or disembark. That practice however would now have to change with the recent enforcement of the bus stop law.
On August 1 the Traffic Department began enforcing the provisions of Regulation 39 (4) of the Vehicles and Road Traffic Regulations which informs that “No passenger bus shall stop to allow passengers on or off except in such areas as designated by the Licensing Authority”.
This portion of the law was enacted in late March 2012 and, according to Head of the Traffic Department Inspector Cromwell Henry, the Department needed to procure materials for the mounting of signs before it could be enforced.
With the initial date of enforcement set for July 1, 2012, the Traffic Department used the interim period to sensitise the public – motor omnibus operators, passengers and other motorists – on the existence of that particular law, its purpose and the penalty for non-compliance.
Between the airport roundabout and Camps Village, some 40 areas have been designated as bus stops and close to 30 signs have already been mounted. The others – Henry previously explained – would be mounted at a later date as the material becomes available.
Additionally, by each designated bus stop, a yellow rectangular 35ft-40ft demarcation has been placed within which passenger buses wishing to either collect or drop off passengers are to stop. These areas – Henry explained – could accommodate two omnibuses at any given time.
Others motorists are asked to note that these areas are strictly for the use of omnibuses.
Since the enforcement of the bus stop law began, one individual was ticketed for stopping in an area which is not a designated bus stop.
Persons ticketed for this offence would be required to pay $100 while up to a $3 500 fine would have to be paid if convicted by a magistrate.
The Traffic Department has solicited the cooperation of the public – both drivers and passengers – in complying with the law.
