A READER CALLED ME recently.
Believe it or not, he had read this column and to the end too. Yes, I am shocked as you are.
It was the one where I warned drivers about picking up suspicious strangers, and strangers about allowing suspicious drivers to pick them up. Then by the end of the column, I’d put the fear of God in both parties so no one was willing to get or give a ride.
But my musings managed to stir something in this individual driver.
He recounted how one day on his way home, he took the route that included Greenwich Road in St James, which is a regular part of his course to and from home. It was around dusk and as he headed to his destination on the dark and lonely road, he spied a schoolgirl picking her way along the road.
He slowed down, at the same time contemplating giving the girl a ride from the deserted area, when suddenly he became torn. What if she refused? She would be right to do so, he reasoned. After all, she did not know him and personal protection tips and parental warnings all advised against getting into a vehicle with a stranger.
What about on a lonely road? How do you choose between getting a ride and being exposed to the other dangers lurking on the road?
In the end the driver decided against the move and instead drove straight home. But he was still bothered by the thought of the young woman possibly left behind in harm’s way.
In a rather strange coincidence, he picked up the day’s newspaper and came across my article detailing a family’s ride of terror – in a manner of speaking – and the accompanying warnings. He found it more than passing strange that as his thoughts were on the matter, he noticed the article.
After several attempts, he finally reached me with a practical suggestion. The motorist explained to me how often he travelled the Greenwich area and how his heart goes out to those who are forced to traverse the long stretch because public transportation does not make its way over there.
More than once, he explained, he had given the stranded a ride but it was not always possible.
He wandered whether it was not possible for the Transport Board to put in place a system where one of the buses on the northern route could be diverted along the Greenwich stretch to accommodate the weary travellers.
According to his proposal, it would not call for any additional buses but for some of those already in St James or St Peter to be guided towards the neglected area. He was not suggesting an all-day service but for the Transport Board, with the help of residents from the area, to identify particular times when the buses would be much needed.
This motorist’s observation is quite timely since authorities seem to be experimenting with the integrated bus system, a joint venture between the Transport Board and public service vehicles. The primary purpose of the effort is to see after the transport needs of the populace.
It occurred to me that since that is the overriding purpose of the Transport Board, then this motorist’s recommendation should be a good one to look into. Some consideration should be given to examining the Greenwich situation.
Imagine the relief for a whole lot of people. First, parents, guardians and loved ones would breathe easier knowing that instead of walking a long dark road, their relatives or friends would be on a dedicated bus service.
Then the passengers themselves would be just as relieved at being in a relatively safe space and getting a respite from the long walk after an equally long day on the job or at school.
• Antoinette Connell is a News Editor. Email antoinetteconnell @nationnews.com.
