BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, September 23, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — The novel coronavirus does not move, it is people who move it and Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris on Tuesday September 22 reiterated that masks must be worn at all times to ensure that the highest acceptance and compliance with the Covid-19 protocols are being observed.
“We are relying on the bus operators to assist with the compliance and their efforts will be supplemented by the security forces – but no mask, there must be no entry,” said Prime Minister Harris. “No mask – there must be no entry on our means of public transport.”
The Honourable Prime Minister made the remarks when delivered the feature address at a ceremony held to officially open the West Line Bus Terminal on Bay Road in downtown Basseterre. He observed that the celebration of the completion and the official handing over of the facility was to do with Covid-19, reminding the country that it is not over and with the latest two cases in the country, people must be careful.
“It is the only way now in the absence of the vaccine, and in the absence of the therapeutics, that we can control and prevent the spread – the mask is our best protector,” said the Prime Minister. “I am inviting all those who are taking the public transport, indeed any transport, as often as you can within the terminal be seen with your mask, but especially on entering the bus, ensure you are entering with your mask.”
Prime Minister Harris had a word of advice to the passengers as well: “And if the bus driver has no mask please call (Commissioner of Police) Mr (Hilroy) Brandy because we shall up the fine. Example set, example must follow, for it will be difficult for the bus driver to say to you ‘put on your mask’ but he or she has none. We have to take this pandemic seriously.”
Present at the official ceremony to declare the New West Line Terminal facility open included the Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Shawn Richards, Minister of Tourism, Transport and Ports the Hon Lindsay Grant, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon Jonel Powell, and former Minister of Public Infrastructure Ambassador His Excellency Ian Patches Liburd.
Others present at the function, which was chaired by Ms Taffida Stewart, Chief Finance Officer and Officer in charge of St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA), included SCASPA Chairman Mr Damien Hobson, President of West-Line Bus Association Mr Nicholson Webster, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Mrs Carlene Henry-Morton, Commissioner of Mr Hilroy Brandy, and Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Tom Lee.
]]>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, September 04, 2020 (RSCNPF): Officers from the Traffic Department are currently policing a trial run of a proposed operating system with omnibus operators at the newly built West Line Bus Terminal.
The trial, which commenced on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, runs for two weeks. It ends on September 09.
Head of the Traffic Department, Superintendent Trevor Mills, and other Officers from the Department have been frequently visiting the area to observe how the system is working and to assist with traffic-related problems arising out of it. He explained that it has been working well so far with respect to the buses queuing up. However, he added that there were some issues regarding congestion that the department was moving to address.
“So far I have seen some organizing of the buses queuing up and operating on a first come, first serve basis, however, there is concern for congestion in the area of the Bay Road, Lower Market Street and Westbourne Ghaut where there is a build-up of traffic from time to time. We hope, going forward, that improvements would be made with respect to these areas.”
He discouraged private motorists from parking for long periods of time in the area of the terminal and to use it for drop offs and pick-ups only to ensure a smooth flow of traffic. At the end of the trial, a meeting will be held with the relevant stakeholders to discuss the way forward.
In contrast to the previous system, buses enter the terminal from west to east. There are loading areas which are located at the front of the queue – two on each side – where buses can exit once they are full. The areas for offloading are located at the back where buses can let passengers off after they enter the terminal. The middle section of the terminal is the designated waiting area for buses that are not in the loading line. Once passengers exit, the bus driver can proceed to the waiting area if they intend to make another trip with more passengers or exit the terminal if they do not. Additionally, east line buses will be able to go into the terminal and drop off and/or pick up passengers on the sea side. The system also allows for private vehicles to do the same.
]]>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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