‘Not all commuters embrace PSV entry rule’ – AOPT spokesman

Owners of public service vehicles have reported mixed support for a new rule that requires commuters to temporarily remove their masks on entering the buses as a security precaution.

Communications and Marketing Officer for the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) Mark Haynes said Wednesday that passengers have not fully adhered to the measure that was adopted following armed robberies by masked assailants.

He said: “I would like to report that since we recently called on the commuters to kindly remove their masks as they get aboard the vans thereby allowing them to be identified by our operators, that there has been some adherence

“Some commuters readily complied and others appeared apprehensive or were a bit reluctant to accede to our request.”

But he expressed the view that commuters understood why the request was being made since in recent times there have been cases where some PSV workers have been robbed “and became the victims of violent attacks by some commuters”.

Haynes suggested that in due course there will be full compliance across the board as the requirement becomes the new norm while the safety and security of operators is viewed as paramount.

“I do believe that once this practice is replicated nationally, that workers would feel much safer as they commute persons both day and night,” Haynes pointed out.

(EJ)