Campaign on to free PBR of ‘illegals’

Unauthorised motorists using the Priority Bus Route (PBR) have been warned by Transport Commissioner, Nathaniel Douglas about using that roadway. He said they can be fined $200 or even face prosecution. This comes in light of the increasing number of vehicles using the PBR without the required pass to travel on the route. According to Douglas, “The Ministry of Works and Transport is currently dealing with the situation, and my orders are specific, as to who are supposed to be on the bus route.” The growing trend of illegal passes is also under investigation said Douglas, as drivers have been reportedly duplicating passes and sharing them with colleagues. To curb this problem, passes are now being made with a “hologram marking.” This would make the pass impossible to photo-copy.

Meanwhile, President of the Maxi-Taxi Association, Victor George, has expressed his concerns over the growing influx of vehicles on the bus route as well as persons jogging and cycling. “From the inception of the bus route, not even a boxcart could pass,” he said. George felt that maxi-drivers were continuously being hampered by illegal vehicles, as they caused inconveniences to drivers and passengers by increasing  the time  for commuters travelling on the route. He lamented that no one cared about the hardships of the drivers, who paid the $1200 fee (per year) to use the route. “It is a strenuous thing when you pay to use the bus route and everyone else uses it for free,” he added. The most common places that vehicles cross over onto the bus route are at D’Abadie, St Joseph and  the Beetham Highway.