Confessions of a Bus-ted Commuter

March 1, 2019

Brimming with enthusiasm following my appointment with my tech guy Remy Francis, I headed to Castries with the sole aim of getting home. The fusion of Remy’s expertise plus my vision, had birthed a Jus Write website which I was very impressed with, and en route to town I mulled over the ideal complementary literature. Yet, in the back of my mind an even greater concern loomed, as time ticked ever closer to 10 p.m. “I hope there are buses still available”.

Arrivng at the Bridge Street and Micoud Street intersection designated for Castries to Vieux Fort night bus operators, my fears became evident. Disgruntled southerners had assembled in the bus stand area sour faced and evidently void of patience. Rumors were that persons had been waiting to get a bus from as early as 8 p.m and this unfortunate situation of the scarcity of buses on a Friday evening was nothing foreign.

December 19, 2013

I recall vividly the Thursday evening, scurrying home following a long day of work at the Star Newspaper. Typically, the city was flocked with Christmas shoppers. Fatigued and restless, I approached my place of refuge. Or so I thought. Walking up to the sight of weary shoppers and a vacant bus stand, symbolized more of a dead zone; and considering the time of year, I froze in bewilderment. In addition, this was my introduction to the ‘No Bus Fridays’ situation, and cap it off with the fact that it was only 7p.m! Cue my frustration.

As a resident of the southeast, it is fair to say that the bus system for southerners traveling along the Castries-Vieux Fort highway is very much frustrating. Every area from Castries down to Dennery has a specific bus service running to and from the capital. Residents of the southeast however, are dependent on Castries to Vieux Fort buses, and this is a very arduous reality.

On a monday morning, it is literally impossible to catch a bus, due to the fact that persons originating from the south but residing in the north, head back to the city in volumes, after spending their weekend at home. On most days of the week the most convenient time to catch a bus is between 6 and 6:30 a.m when most persons are still preparing to leave their homes. After 7 a.m, you’re basically gambling. Imagine having to leave home at 6:30 to start work at 9!

My opinion is that, the Castries-Vieux Fort bus drivers are simply not strategic enough in their methods. On a morning, the majority queue up at the bus stand in Vieux Fort waiting to be filled so that they can head to the city. Meanwhile the persons who live along the east side, are dependent on the very few who decide to ‘pirate’ up the road to collect persons at the roadside and bus shelters. Yet, the number of commuters is so many, buses are basically full at Micoud. For residents of the Mon Repos communities and Praslin, that spells P-R-O-B-L-E-M-S! The only other available option is making use of the few Mabouya Valley and Dennery buses, upon their return from transporting contracted pupils to the southern secondary schools; and that too is an inconvenience. These buses head back after 7:30 a.m, plus the 40 minute average ride from Praslin, let alone Micoud or Desruisseaux, equals consistently late for work. Bad equation!

This issue isn’t distinct to early mornings and traveling north bound; as such problems arise throughout the day and also heading south to Vieux Fort. Similar to the northern side, where communities have a bus service from Castries down to Dennery, strategic operations are available from Vieux Fort to as far as Mon Repos, which includes Praslin. Therefore, residents from Dennery upwards, use the Castries-Vieux Fort buses heading northbound. With that, traveling south between Dennery and Cul-De-Sac or from any of the communities in that range heading to Vieux Fort, is an absolute headache; as buses disembark from Castries full. Its really ‘not an easy road’ according to reggae icon Buju Banton.

Let’s not forget the persons doing shiftwork and get to the bus stand late at night. Southerners working in the north don’t have the luxury of their staff buses dropping them off on their door step like north residents do. Instead they get dropped off on the bus stand with faint chances of getting home. I’m all too familiar with the tales of bus driver ‘Dote’, operating late hours to accommodate 20+ passengers on his 14 seater bus. A bit funny yes, but very unfortunate.

Understandably, after a week of work or school, one would love to be free to head out to unwind or have some fun. However, weekend excursions as a south resident, can be considered a risk unless you’re a vehicle owner. With no vehicle, you can forget the night life, concerts, and late movies at the cinema; unless you’re planning to lodge.

In my opinion, a major factor contributing to our transport issue is our island’s topography. Our mountainous terrain, and it being situated generally in the center of the island, nullified the possibility of connecting roadways across the island. A perfect contrast would be neighboring island Barbados, with its relatively flat landscape enabling interconnected roadways and a competent bus system.

So with being said, how do we venture forward? My suggestion for availability of buses at the bus stands is that, there be a scheme which resembles a shift system. With this initiative, bus drivers would work either from 4 a.m to 2 p.m, or 2 p.m to midnight. Both work (but are not limited to) a 10 hour shift, which accommodates early morning and late night shift workers. To permit reliable access to buses at community bus shelters, a rotation system could also be incorporated, where buses are scheduled to ride the route at every hour of the day.

Some time in May 2014

Heading home from work, knocked out, side of my face printed on the bus window. All is well until a voice bellows, “stopping here driver!”

Problem! I’m not supposed to hear those words since I live in Praslin, which is the first stop on the route. Fortunately or unfortunately, we’re only in Mon Repos so I can drag myself back down the Mon Repos hill.

How lovely it would be if only I lived in Vieux Fort. Then, I’d have none of these worries, and better yet…I could sleep the entire trip!