BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MEMBERS of the West Line, East Line and St. Peters Bus Associations have decided not to ply their routes today (Nov. 3) as they stand in solidarity with the family of their fallen comrade Kevin ‘Broadie’ Newman and as they seek to hold negotiations with the Ministry of Transport concerning measures which they need put in place.
SKNVibes spoke with President of the St. Peters Bus Association Calvin ‘Jimmy’ Martin earlier today and he explained that the three Bus Associations held a joint meeting yesterday where it was decided that from 9:30 this morning, none of the busses would be traversing the various routes.
He said the death of Newman – who was a popular bus driver – touched all of the bus drivers.
“What we’ve decided, from 9:30 a.m., we basically take a rest from our routes, in solidarity with the family of Kevin Broadie Newman and of course, in so doing, we are also looking to speak to the authorities to get certain measures put in place.”
Martin said the Associations have made and sent proposals to the government over the years and still “we haven’t had any favourable response so we are hoping that by today, we can have some positive response. If not we would take further action.”
Newman was plying the western route and while in the White Gate area (between Dieppe Bay and St. Pauls), he was shot and killed during a robbery attempt. The incident occurred on Saturday evening (Nov. 1) sometime after 9:00.
Martin said one of the main issues which the Bus Associations have is safety. But he indicated that before such could be addressed, a Transport Board has to be instituted first.
“We have some views to put forward to the authorities in respect to safety because this is not something that just happened… These things have been happening for quite some time. You might remember in Sandy Point where this particular bus driver got shot in his face, I know of bus drivers who were robbed at gunpoint and bus drivers even on the St. Peters route who were attacked. So we definitely need measures in place to curtail this type of behaviour.
“The main concern we have is the Transport Board. Most of the things we are asking for could not be instituted without a Transport Board. According to the law, a Transport Board is supposed to be there but there is none.”
This publication understands that a string of robberies, the victims of which were bus men, took place on the same evening of Newman’s death.
SKNVibes also understands that the bus drivers might consider taking full industrial action tomorrow if they are unable to meet with officials of the Ministry of Transport or if they do not receive favourable response.
