Nod to transport move

One of the main bodies representing public service vehicle (PSV) workers is in full support of Government’s plans to take a back seat in providing public transport services.

Marketing and communications officer of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) Mark Haynes told Barbados TODAY that body was more than willing to sit down at the table with Government to chart a new way forward for the sector.

Yesterday while speaking during the Estimates, Minister of Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill admitted Government could no longer afford to heavily subsidize public transportation and by extension the Transport Board.

The minister said Government would instead look to enfranchise private operators.

Gooding-Edghill said before any plans were revealed talks would have to be held with private operators, unions and all other stakeholders.

Haynes said while a timeline had not yet been given for discussions to commence, the AOPT was on board with the plan.

“No doubt given Barbados’ current transportation system there are a number of changes that would have to be made to revolutionize the transportation sector. I think that Government sees this as an imperative and against this backdrop has decided that it would take the route of revolutionizing the industry so it caters to the needs of Barbados,” he said.

“As it stands, Government has not met with us to discuss these new initiatives but we are prepared to meet in an effort to improve Barbados’ transportation system. We think that anything that will redound to the benefit of the transportation sector in Barbados should be enacted so that you get the ultimate output in terms of what the island should afford at this time because there are a number of problems which permeate the transportation sector.”

The minister also outlined plans for the establishment of a Mass Transit Authority.

While he lauded Gooding-Edghill for rolling out new initiatives to improve the transportation sector, Haynes warned that dialogue was critical in the form of a national discussion.

“Before new initiatives are rolled out it would be prudent of him to meet with all of the stakeholders in an effort to ensure that everyone understands what Government intends to do. We as an organization are prepared to work with Government.

“What the minister intends to do will improve what currently pertains and we can see betterment as we move forward. We shall await what the minister puts on the table before we officially respond. Many things in the sector need to change. We cannot continue in this same vein. The transport sector is plagued with a multiplicity of problems which can be addressed once we sit down and look at things rationally and analytically.”

When contacted, chairman of  the Association of Public Transport Operators (APTO) Kenneth Best told Barbados TODAY he would first have to discuss the proposal with board members before he could make a comment.

(randybennett@barbadostoday.bb)