St. Lucia's Lifeline: The Transport

The Indo-St. Lucians have a longstanding history in transportation in St. Lucia. Here is an excerpt from one of the multiple Indo-St. Lucian drivers.



Speech By A Long Served Bus Driver .......


In 1974 when I first started my mini-bus business we operated with a pick-up van with a wooden box. This was the sole means of passenger transportation at that time. There were not many in the business at that time (approximately ten) and the road condition was narrow and very bad. Imagine a gallon of gas was only 75cents and the bus fare to Castries was 75cents grown-ups 50cents children. (That was a long time ago)
We had no Mini-bus Association. We survived on popularity, there was no leadership, no discipline among the drivers and the quality of service was not very good. One of the things i did not like was the standard in which we operated, by this I mean drivers were not properly dressed, the wearing of sleeveless shirts, and driving with rubber slippers, the hygiene was just not there.
The only time that drivers would come together was once a year, when we celebrated drivers feast. There was always a service and afterwards it was party time, food, drinks and music. The next day everybody would go back to the same indisipline system.
As time went on, we gradually moved from the pick up vans to transit buses although this investment was very expensive more people bought more buses because the ride was more comfortable. Our membership increased to about 25, so we found the need to come together to form an association. The association was registered on 15th June 1997. After the association was registered we were gorverened by a constitution, which took care of the indiscipline in the organization.
We took care of the indiscipline in the organisation, we did not give up we held meetings upon meetings making sure that we were the number 1 mini-bus assosiation on the island.
I retired in the year 2001 giving 27 years of service to my community and country. I am very satisfied that this assosiation has gained more discipline, the membership has increased to 47, the finance status has rised over 21 thousand and in my view the assosiation had a good and hard working leader.(Timophy Bispart)
At present, we have better buses on our route a more organise bus service and most importantly we have never had a fatal accident involving any of our busses on "Route 2C" This shows that our drivers practice defensive driving.
Another thing that I have noticed is that our drivers take their work serious because it is their main source of income.
I have realised that our drivers are better dressed now than before, their buses are always clean, polished and looking nice. The drivers now are better behaved and conduct themselves in a good manner. I don't know if it is because of the disciplinary committee, but if this is the case, it is a step in the right direction.
I would like to see good constructive communication amongst drivers and passengers; one cannot work without the other, as the saying goes " I need you, you need me" Drivers should go the extra mile. (For example, if a passenger has load he/she can't manage alone the driver should at least drop the passenger at their door step or in close proximity to their home).
In future I would like to see the Dennery Mini-bus Association giving back to the public something of value. For example, free transportation for a student or two who passed their common entrance exam to a Seconsary School in Castries, where their parents cannot afford. A construction of a bus shelter, aid for hurricane and fire victims etc. I'm hoping that in the future there will be a stronger bond amongst drivers and passengers.

http://www.denneryvibe.com/jules.htm