No police show up for opening of PBR; Warner calls it insulting

It was raining on Thursday morning as Works Minister Jack Warner officially opened the Priority Bus Route (PBR) to regular traffic during designated times.

But no police officer showed up for the event at 4 in the morning at Curepe Junction.
An angry Warner said he considers that insulting.

"It is an insult that there is no police present. It is an insult to me as the Minister, it is an insult to my ministry and it is an insult to those gathered here. It is an insult that the police were not prepared to take on the responsibility this morning. This cannot succeed without the cooperation of the Police Service," Warner said.

Under the three-month pilot project private vehicles can use the PBR between 4 am and 6 am and between 8.30 am and 2.30 pm, Monday to Friday.

The aim is to see if the move will ease traffic congestion along the East/West corridor and the Churchill Roosevelt and Beetham Highways.

Warner stressed that it is not just a free for all, noting that a private vehicle wishing to use the roadway must have three occupants. The aim is to reduce the number of vehicles by encouraging vehicle pooling.

“If a driver has to stop to drop out one passenger then he must get off the bus route. At no point in time should a vehicle have less than three persons,” he warned.

The minister was upset that the moment he opened the PBR some vehicles broke the "three-person" rule and there were no police to deal with them.

"I saw two cars pass with less than three people. I asked from very early where are the police? I intend on raising the issue with Security Minister John Sandy. I am very angry that they are not visible," Warner stated.

There seemed to be some confusion about policing.

Traffic Branch told the Newsday newspaper police were in Port-of-Spain at points where private vehicles will be exiting and said Transit Police are responsible for monitoring the PBR.

Another officer told the paper the Transit Police Branch is in charge of policing the PBR during the pilot project.

Police claimed that they were on duty on the PBR "although our presence was not seen at the opening" and noted that officers had to pull over some motorists with less than the required number of passengers.

The $15 million blimp assigned to the Special Anti-Crime Unit (SAUTT) is assisting police in monitoring traffic flow.