E-Paper
‘Fast track’ buses are not quite so fast
The next time you're stuck in traffic because of the dedicated Commonwealth Games lanes, don't curse the people in those buses. They too have had a harrowing time travelling.
The next time you're stuck in traffic because of the dedicated Commonwealth Games lanes, don't curse the people in those buses. They too have had a harrowing time travelling.
The inaugural day of CWG saw a breakdown in coordination of the buses going in for security checks. Some accredited personnel had to wait for close to an hour for the buses that were promised to 'float them into the stadiums’. Others who parked their cars close to stadiums and tried to venture in on foot were denied entry.
The most harrowed of the lot were the foreign journalists who not only had difficulties communicating with volunteers stationed at the main press centre, but boarded the wrong bus at times due to miscommunication.
“Security forces are not allowing entry to people on foot despite access cards. They say if there are buses for the media, it must be availed without question. And these buses are running late,” said a scribe from Trinidad and Tobago, who reached 15 minutes late for his team's netball match.
His colleague was equally vocal. “I don't know about you guys but the intent seems to be correct. However the execution s**ks. I have an access card and I stay close to the stadium, but I have to go all the way to the MPC to avail the media bus service,” he said. Security personnel at the Thyagaraj Stadium though said they had orders to allow only accredited people in buses and not on foot.
