PSVs to PM: Put us in Social Partnership or meet

Public transport owners have declared they want a seat at the Social Partnership table, alongside the troika of Government, labour unions and the private sector.

And Mark Haynes, the spokesman for the Alliance of Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) has also called for an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Mia Mottley on the industry’s future, amid complaints from public service vehicle operators that were not included among the small businesses to be compensated by Government for losses during the lockdown, which was extended Monday by another two weeks to month-end.

Haynes told Barbados TODAY the lockdown had seriously affected the finances of PSV operators who are limited to carrying 60 per cent of their capacity, causing many to withdraw their vehicles from several routes.

While he believed some form of financial assistance should be given to PSV workers, he said the time had come for the industry to be represented at the Social Partnership.

Haynes said: “The sector really needs help and I think the Government of Barbados owes it to us, the Prime Minister, I call on her to politely meet with us and have a frank, open and civil discussion with us since we play a major role in Barbados’ GDP [Gross Domestic Product].

“We are deserving of help like any other sector in Barbados and this thing about only having people sitting on the Social Partnership – we should be part of that Social Partnership. We should be able when Government convenes a meeting at that level, the PSV sector should be there to make representation on its behalf because you just can’t have this sector sidelined. It is not right, it is unfair and I hope the Prime Minister in her wisdom that she considers us and even if she does not have us at the Social Partnership at least make an effort to meet with us because we have a lot of problems to discuss about this shutdown which need to be remedied.”

The AOPT spokesman has also suggested Government waive taxes for PSVs for the year.

Haynes said: “Given the precarious nature in which the operators find themselves I think it is only fair to issue a moratorium for this year’s permit fees which are payable to BRA [Barbados Revenue Authority]. The Government should look to waive the fees for this year and when next year picks up then we can obviously revert back to normal, but I feel this is one of the ways and means of cushioning the impact which the operators are having because it is really hard and troubling for these persons in the sector.”

Barbados TODAY had reached out to the chairman of the Association of Public Transport Operators (APTO), Kenny Best, for comment. 
(randybennett@barbadostoday.bb)