Delayed service vexes passengers

Passengers who commute by bus were left stranded for a long time at the Isa Town bus station yesterday apparently because some drivers were on 'strike'. People who had to travel via the Isa Town route had to wait for more than an hour to board a bus. Sources said that this was due to a number of bus drivers deciding to not turn up for work as they did not receive transportation to return home after their shift got over the previous night. One of the drivers, on condition of anonymity, said that about 30 drivers had to walk for almost 12 kilometres after completing their shift on Wednesday night. “Usually, after the duty, drivers get shuttle bus service from Isa Town depot to Askar, where the drivers’ accommodation is located. But on Wednesday night they had to walk until their accommodation as they did not receive transport service. That’s why some of the drivers decided not to work today."

One passenger told DT News that usually there are buses towards Manama every 10 to 15 minutes. But yesterday he had to wait for more than 45 minutes at the Isa Town bus station to board a bus. Besides the bus was jam packed, he added. However, an official from the Bahrain Public Transport Company denied the situation, stating that operations was as usual.

Meanwhile, bus service opearted normally at the Manama bus station. Commuters said that there was almost no delays here.