Bus Routes Affected By Road Diversions

Works Minister Neko Grant yesterday announced that by the end of the month, the two roads would be one way.

Baillou Hill Road would head north while Market Street would head south between Robinson and Wulff Roads.

But according to Head of the Department of Road Traffic Department, Brad Smith, the new one-way scheme should not create a major problem.

"Currently there are 170 buses that use Baillou Hill Road full time. Only 12 use Mackey Street, so it is important that we actually get into schools and different agencies that use the Baillou Hill Road and Market Street corridors to commute to and from those places," he said.

"Our Transportation, Planning and Policy Unit will go into all of these schools – some 20 of them – and explain to them that the buses will not be coming to and from their regular points. We will tell them where they need to go to catch the buses. There are also at least 20 government agencies that we will go to, so that will be a big challenge."

As for the bus drivers, Mr. Smith said, "they would adapt."

"The challenge we will have is to get the students and members of the public to understand where to go when they need to catch these buses," he said.

"The entire bus schedule will rely on the road works because we have to make the adjustments. Buses are still using their same routes at this time even though they have to alter the routes at a certain point on Baillou Hill Road."

Mr. Smith said once work on the two corridors is completed, slight adjustments would be made to the existing bus routes.

"We will divert those buses that come all the way up Baillou Hill Road and have them go east on Wulff Road and south onto Market Street. So, it’s going to be a gradual process. As the road works continue, we will make the necessary adjustments," Mr. Smith said.

The Department of Road Traffic has reportedly had discussions with all bus organisations on the issue.

According to Mr. Smith, the department also continues to have weekly meetings with various stakeholders.

"We have been informing them of what has been going on and will continue to do so. The dialogue will continue and hopefully we will agree on things amicably," he said.