Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 13 , 2020 (ZIZ News):The West Basseterre Bus Terminal was officially opened on Tuesday following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the terminal.
Shanique Harvey has the details…..
Government officials and bus drivers were among those in attendance on Tuesday morning for the official opening of the West Line Bus Terminal.
Among those making presentations were President of the West Line Bus Association Nicholson Webster, Minister of Transport the Hon. Lindsay Grant, and Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris.
Webster noted the improvements derived from the new procedures implemented at the terminal.
“I would like to list a few reasons which include but not limited to, a tremendous reduction in congestion in and around the bus terminal, improved safety for passengers and pedestrians, a much more organized system, less wear and tear on buses and much more improved efficiency,” he said. Webster continued, “as simple as this may sound this system brought a greater co-operation among passenger bus owners and operators”
Minister Grant said that the new terminal should usher in a different approach to how public transportation is conducted noting some of the changes that bus operators must exhibit.
“The facility must also signal a reset in how as a people we conduct the business of public transportation as the saying goes we cannot put old wine in new skins. Bus operators to match the modern design of this new facility, you must also elevate your standards of customer service, you must exhibit an unswerving commitment to discipline and order on the terminal and on the road as you take your passengers to and from their destinations in comfort and in safety.”
He added that bus drivers must follow dispatch rules and systems to ensure they have a chance to make a living as well as their deportment, dress and language must identify them as bus operators who are professional.
With a break in remarks a drumming performance was provided by Royd Phipps and company.
Prime Minister, Dr. Hon. Timothy Harris praised all stakeholders involved in the construction of the terminal and noted that it is part of the government’s commitment to the improvement of Basseterre.
“I want us to put this beautiful expensive facility in the context though of our commitment to redevelop Basseterre and to ensure Basseterre shall be, the best, the most beautiful, the cleanest city anywhere in the Caribbean and further afield.”
Immediately following the Prime Minister’s remarks the ribbon cutting was done to declare the terminal officially opened.
The fully covered terminal allows for a revamped procedure guiding how buses line up and depart and also accommodates drop off points for East Line buses as well.
The project was constructed at a cost of about 2.27 million dollars.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, September 22, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said the construction of the brand new West Line Bus Terminal represents a substantial investment in the enhancement of public transportation in the country and one that will add to the efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public transportation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the new West Line Bus Terminal earlier on Tuesday, September 22, Prime Minister Harris added that the realization of the new bus terminal also represents another step in his Government’s commitment towards the redevelopment of the capital city of Basseterre.
“For us at home, to those who visit Basseterre, this beautiful flat land must always be beautiful and attractive to those who come into our city. As we build out Basseterre, we must look around at all the edifices, at all the lacks within our city and to see in our redevelopment of Basseterre how we will make Basseterre more complete,” the prime minister said.
“Basseterre as the most beautiful city in the region must have a brand new public market from which our people ply their trade, giving due support to agriculture, to arts and craft; Basseterre as the most beautiful city most look at the important edifices, such as our National Trust, and ensure in their redevelopment and design they reflect the beauty of St. Kitts and Nevis; Basseterre as the most beautiful city must show the world how in the redevelopment of a city we planned and we organized to minimise the existence of slums in the heart and center of our city’s spatial development,” Dr. Harris added.
The brand new terminal facility was constructed by E&J Construction at a cost of approximately $2.3 million dollars.
In December 2018, the St. Kitts and Nevis Government participated in a similar ceremony when it officially opened the modern East Line Bus Terminal at Wellington Road.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 27, 2020 (ZIZ News): Buses that travel the West Line have this week been using the newly upgraded West Line Bus Terminal on the Bay Road as a test ahead of its official launch.
During Wednesday’s edition of “On the Road” on ZIZ Radio Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Carlene Henry Morton said this type of test is necessary to ensure that the new terminal performs optimally
President of the West Line Bus Association Nicholson Webster said the Association was very involved in the design of the terminal and one of the changes will be in the way the buses are lined up and sectioned off as they exit the terminal.
Mr Webster says there are also spaces for East Line Buses on the sea side and a drop off and pick up area for persons who are using the ferry.
The test will run for two weeks.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 24th 2020 (ZIZ News): West- line bus operators parked their buses on Thursday morning to participate in an emergency meeting at the west- line bus terminal on the Bay Road.
President of the West-Line Bus Association, Nicholson Webster explained that the reason for the meeting was to take a stand against challenges they are facing with a police officer at the terminal.
“What happen is that for the last couple of days we have had some challenges at the terminal with the police and we have a disruption of the normal day to day operation with a particular police who do not normally work in this area so out of that we have a number of members who have been arrested and ticketed one guy even got 5 ticket and a summons so we had to take a stand,” he said.
He also apologized to public for the disruption in services.
“I want to apologize to the public for the inconvenience but we had to sort out our business first and in sorting our business the public has been affected but we do not have any contention with the public or the government the situation arise because of the situation with the police here at the terminal.”
Second in Command at the Traffic Department, Inspector Phillip Eddy said that the bus associations and the police are in talks to discuss the way forward as it relates to the daily operations at the terminal.
“Presently they are in meetings that are actually coming to a conclusion of what will actually be on-going in the near future so based on that the bus drivers they remain as is until they have a final conclusion.”
The buses were back in operation at about 11 am.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 22, 2020 (ZIZ News): Ahead of the completion of the West- Line Bus Terminal, representatives from the West Line Bus Association and the St. Peter’s Bus Association visited the studios of ZIZ radio on Wednesday for the programme “On the Road ” to discuss some of the issues and solutions that can be implemented upon its completion.
President of the West-Line Bus Association, Nicholson Webster informed that since the bus stop near Redi Fried Chicken on the Bay Road has been moved it has had an effect on the flow of traffic at the West-Line Bus Terminal.
“Because the east line is no longer able to stay there, they’re coming down at the west line and the west line right now is really congested so there’s further congestion right there,” he said.
He also called for a solution that will mitigate the problem.
“So if we could probably get something in place where we can have them come to drop off in a designated area it would help because sometimes they just come down there and stop as soon as they get in and it creates a real problem not only for the buses but for other vehicles that are trying to get in so that’s a real issue.”
Webster also recommended only allowing other motorists to drive through the terminal when dropping off and picking up someone to alleviate some of the congestion issues at the terminal.
“On the Road” airs every Wednesday on ZIZ radio at 8:30am during the “Morning Show”. The programme is also streamed live in all its social media platforms.
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