Illegal parking near Red Bus stands ‘leading to accidents’

An average of one accident per week is caused due to illegal civilian parking at bus stops, according to the spokesperson of the Bahrain Public Transport Company.

Vehicles occupying stops designated for Red Buses have forced drivers to halt the bus mid-road for boarding and deboarding passengers. In addition, this risks the safety of the commuters and often causes accidents and damages.

Speaking to Tribune, the spokesperson stated: “The incidents usually involve the bus brushing against the cars parked in the bus stop when trying to leave the road clear for traffic to pass. We have also some accidents, where car drivers crash into the rear side of the bus when it has to stop on the road.”

Unauthorized civilian parking has been a lingering issue faced by the current as well as the previous public transport company in the Kingdom. “This has been an issue since we started over four years ago, and I am sure it was a problem for the previous company as well,” revealed the spokesperson. Bus drivers have expressed concern with regard to the safety of the passengers who are forced to maneuver through the hindrance to board and deboard.

“Drivers complain that cars parked at bus stops make it very difficult for them to pick up and drop off passengers safely, and they have to stop on the road, instead of designated areas. When this happens the vehicles behind them beep their horns, at times leading to verbal arguments with the bus driver.

“If the bus stop is partly blocked and the driver tries to get into the area that is available, chances of accidents are high,” stated the spokesperson.