The President of the Gros Islet Minibus Association, Danny Edward, has raised concern about the impact of increased heat due to climate change on bus drivers and passengers.
Edward highlighted to St. Lucia Times that extreme heat affects drivers
financially by increasing fuel consumption due to more frequent use of air conditioning.
Edward also pointed out that a lack of proper bus terminals means buses are parked in the open, exacerbating the heat issue.
“You have to cool down your buses before you head to the number one queue,” he explained.
Edward told St. Lucia Times that the extreme heat forces drivers to consume more water.
He suggested establishing enclosed bus terminals could alleviate some of the issues.
“If we had enclosed bus terminal where you could get a little shelter from the sun. I think that would be a way to save on some of our costs,” he told St. Lucia Times.
In addition, the Gros Islet Bus Association President called on the governments of Saint Lucia and other countries to address climate
change and its effects on transportation infrastructure.
He hoped that bus drivers’ challenges shed light on the need for change.
Data shows that Saint Lucia’s average recorded temperatures have increased over the last 15 years.
Figures from the Saint Lucia Meteorological Services reveal the recorded temperature in Castries for August 2024 was 0.6â—¦C warmer than the average temperatures of the past 15 years (2009-2023).
Likewise, in Vieux Fort, August temperatures were 0.3 â—¦C above the average of the past 15 years.
PHOTO: File image
I am so surprised at this mini bus driver complaining about spending more money on drinking water. Well driver drink water from the drain and keep the money for future hospital bills.
Above all you know this bus park is the biggest one and they have not utilized it efficiently they park their buses under that shed and load their buses in the hot sun with no shelter. You see how backward we have become. many of the buses ply the root don’t have a functional AC system. Imagine that, and they barking, oh foo!
Only a handful of bus drivers put on their AC. I’m surprised he didn’t ask for reduced fuel prices
Just nw after PJP and King win again Increase in bus fare. All in an effort to protect the new victory. Keep the voters happy and f… the rest
Same thing I saying.them bus drivers always complaining about they loosing money so much money yall making.
BUS DRIVERS COMPLAIN ABOUT SHIT
WHY DONT THE BUSES BE CUSTOMER FRIENDLY WHY DONT YOU DANNY TALK ABOUT THAT. BUSES ARE SO UNKEPT AND DRIVERS ARROGANT AND DISRESPECTFUL…TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS FIRST
Too offset the costs associated with the heat, drivers can try the following means:
Keep to buying stock tires, what the vehicle came with, they work just as well and costs way less than the wide width low profile tires most drivers prefer, they also offer less rolling resistance thereby increasing mileage; drive at a moderate speed and less speeding up and overtaking just to stop a few meters down the road to offload passengers, it saves fuel and there is less wear on brakes, tires, and other components!
Anonymous good point with reference to the tire size, and to add to it when it rains, and the windows are opened if you are seated by the window the tire would send dirty water through the window and would soil your shirt
Minibus drivers are disingenuous, stupid, nasty, disrespectful, discourteous on the road. It’s good for y’all. you complaining about drinking more water? Y’all too suitewez. Every day y’all drive fast burning more fuel. Why don’t y’all save it to burn ac instead for the comfort of your passengers. San honte
I can understand about the heat but the bus drivers deserve to burn. Almost all of them are disrespectful. Especially the skinny pasta one that does wear gym gloves. I am very concern with the sanitation of the public buses. I think something should be put in place for them to clean their nasty smelling buses especially the seats. For God sake, Danny Edward, talk some real things with your petty shit about drinking more water please! half the bus drivers buses have no functional AC.
some drivers hv bad attitude no respect for passengers. what a.c they having on.choops
So you guys are actually feeling what we feeling. Most of the buses are not for the caribbean. One window on the side with 2 on the other side and they refuse to put on the a/c. Those buses are designed for ac to be on at all time. I actually saw a lady removed her blouse on the bus because she ask the driver politely to put on the a/c with no response from him. Just imagine u have women going through men a pause in situation like this. Gros islet bus drivers are the MOST disrespectful and untidy if u ask me
What strikes me is the bus drivers didnt mention passenger safety once in their new complaints. Some of them carry people in their poor insulated death traps all day long ( windows close open properly, no a/c, busted open seats and wreckless driving) but the minute they start feeling the effects of the heatwave first thing they taking about is losing money. Shows how much they care about their passengers.
And please them fellas aint drinking water. They drinking rum. If they wanna stay cool perhaps they shouldnt drink so much alcohol.