PSV owners want tiers of COVID-19 sanctions

The group representing public service vehicle owners has called for a system of progressive penalties for drivers and conductors who disobey the COVID-19 protocols.

Communications and marketing officer at the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) Mark Haynes has disagreed with the tough stance taken by COVID-19 Czar Richard Carter.

On Monday, Carter threatened to pull PSVs off the road if their drivers and conductors did not observe the outlined protocols by wearing face masks at all times.

“From tomorrow [Tuesday], bars, restaurants, nightclubs and other places of entertainment that fail to rigorously observe the protocols will be closed down. Public transport vehicles that fail to observe the protocols for wearing face masks by drivers, conductors and passengers will be pulled off the road,” Carter said at the time.

But in a statement from AOPT, Haynes said drivers, conductors and owners should be cautioned before any decision is taken to take those vehicles off the road was made.

Haynes said: “On behalf of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport I wish to unequivocally state that all drivers, conductors and commuters must be in full conformity with all of Government’s rules and regulations in specific relation to public transport.

“However, I am diametrically opposed to the threat of having the vehicles being pulled off the road once they are found to be in breach of the current COVID-19 protocols. They should be stopped and given a warning once there is evidence of any infringements.

“In a simultaneous manner, the owners of the vehicles should be called into a meeting and advised of the warning and infringements. Once breaches persist subsequent to the official warning then there should be temporary punishment. Any action other than this will be too draconian and needs to be revisited immediately.”

Haynes also took the opportunity to implore PSV operators to adhere to the protocols.

He said while he understood COVID-19 was a challenging time for everyone, the safety of both workers and commuters was imperative.

The AOPT executive said: “I implore all owners, drivers and conductors and commuters to please adhere to the wearing of masks and the requisite sanitation of all vehicles at the designated stations.

“We are in a new norm as it were and it must be understood that we are all in this together and should cooperate nicely with each other in an effort to stay safe and to avert the spread of COVID-19.

“A collaborative approach should be encouraged in this environment and not a combative and antagonistic one. Let us all make a concerted effort to work with each other in an effort to ensure containment of this disease.”

He continued: “When PSVs are pulled off the road what happens to commuters and who ultimately suffers? I dare say the commuters. PSVs play a pertinent role in moving the nation’s commuters and they contribute significantly to Barbados’ GDP.

“The workers in this sector must be of good behaviour and it is imperative that they conduct themselves with the highest level of decorum. There must be order and discipline on the road. Please desist from bringing the sector into public disrepute.

“Commuters who bluntly refuse to wear their masks as they are about to board the vehicles should be left or not taken onboard with and among others. This is all in an effort for everyone’s safety. This COVID-19 environment can only be deemed or characterized as one of utmost uncertainty and is most precarious.”

randybennett@barbadostoday.bb