Masks down before entering PSVs

The robbery of a public service vehicle driver by a man posing as a masked commuter has prompted the body representing owners and operators to suggest commuters pull down their masks as they enter the PSV.

The latest attack, which reportedly occurred on Monday, left the operator nursing several injuries. Operators said they have been shaken by the incident and fear for their lives.

Mark Haynes, communications and marketing officer of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), and Kenneth Best, chairman of the Association of Public Transport Operators (APTO), both told Barbados TODAY the action has to be taken.

Haynes said the coronavirus prevention protocols might have to be amended for PSVs.

He said: “We understand the protocols with regard to COVID-19 and I understand why the protocols of wearing the mask are there, to mitigate the spread of the disease.

“But at the same time we the workers in the sector are under threat by a surge of violence which now permeates the sector and this really cannot continue.

“We are saying that perhaps we may have to sit down with the COVID-19 unit, with the Transport Authority and all the officials, and try to come up with a new mechanism to look at security for the workers because it is unfair for the workers in the sector to be working hard moving the commuters and then their monies are taken from them after they work so hard.

“I am suggesting that before commuters board the vehicle they should be asked to remove their masks so that the conductor or the driver can see the faces of those persons who are boarding the vehicle.”

While admitting the suggestion was not a “100 per cent fix to the problem”, Haynes said PSVs would also have to look at installing security cameras in their vehicles.

Haynes said if the violence continued PSV operators could choose not to work late at night, leaving some commuters stranded.

Best, too, agreed that passengers should be made to show their faces before boarding and also called for surveillance cameras to be installed.

He said: “I believe what should happen is that we should start installing cameras on the PSVs. Additionally, when people get on the PSVs they should pull down their mask so that the camera would get their picture so that if any problems develop in relation to that commuter we would have an idea of what the person looks like.

“We have to have a conversation with the Commissioner of Police, the Ministry of Health and other people, to ensure that the same way when you go to the bank you have to take down your mask so that the people can look at your face that something similar would occur on the PSVs.”

A cashless system would also deter robbers, Best suggested.

“It would eliminate the temptation for robbery because there would be no money onboard PSVs,” he said.

He advised conductors to be observant and cautious, especially those working at night.