TAP operators want urgent talks on outstanding pay and other issues

Several operators under the Transport Augmentation Programme (TAP) this morning parked their vehicles just off the Mighty Grynner Highway to press for outstanding pay and urgent talks with Government.

The operators lamented that payment is sometimes more than three months late and this has been affecting their businesses.

Colvin Yarde, one Public Service Vehicle (PSV) owner told reporters: “We would like to meet with the new Minister of Transport and possibly the Prime Minister so that we can trash out these problems so that we can continue to provide a good service to the travelling public. But we cannot continue to provide a service if we are not being paid and not being paid on time.”

Rodney Bellamy, another member in the programme called on the authorities to provide a “ definite timeframe” for payment to allow operators to better plan their affairs.

“Several persons are not here, their vehicles are broken down and are off their road, and they are victims of this cash flow [problem]. So we want to see an improvement in that [payment], it is not sustainable.”

Another operator, Neville Reid added that there is a need to review the TAP programme and make improvements.

“There is definitely a need for a meeting with the Transport Authority and members of the TAP programme,” he said. (SB)