Some years ago, a mother and her three year-old daughter tragically died at the Suva bus stand from numerous skull fractures, neck dislocation and swelling to their brains as a result of the impact of the accident.
They died instantly when they were crushed between two buses. As a result, a bus checker was charged and later given a an eight-year jail term.
This accident prompted the Suva City Council and Fiji Bus Operators Association to work at improving safety for members of the public at the Suva Bus Stand.
Immediately, the walkways and railings were constructed to safeguard pedestrians at the bus terminal, and no one was allowed to cross anywhere on the tarmac.
The peanut sellers were instructed to wear a reflector vest and enforcement officers were present during peak hours to control pedestrian flow and buses entering the tarmac, with the aid of a whistle.
The entire operation was controlled, and the exercise acted as an informative learning in safety. And the commuters slowly began to adhere to the instructions.
The safety initiative taken by the Suva City Council faded with time.
Now, the Suva Bus Terminal is a total mess again.
People can cross from anywhere, buses enter the tarmac with great speed and peanut sellers, without any reflective vest, are seen maneuvering recklessly among the parked buses.
I asked a peanut seller why he was not wearing a reflector vest for safety reasons. He said there was no need because the Government had changed.
I also noticed a council staff, with the words Enforcement Officer at the back of his reflector vest, with a book in his hand.
I believe that the sole objective of his presence there was to book bus drivers not switching off bus engines when they parked. The responsibilities of the SCC administration is to ensure the municipal services such as public safety, transportation, and utilities are provided to residents.
They have a duty of care to ensure anyone within their jurisdiction are safe and cared for, including the bus terminal.
I believe it is an opportune time for the minister concerned to intervene and demand safety for the public using public transport as the mode of travel.
The municipal desperately lacks a proactive approach in their modus operandi.
Story By: Satish Nakched
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