PSV terminals cleaned of ash after operators kick up dust

Some public service vehicle (PSV) operators Thursday threatened to pull their vehicles off the road due to the dusty and ashy conditions of the Constitution Road Terminal and the Cheapside Terminal.

Declaring they had been forgotten, the operators claimed Government gave no assistance to clean the terminals of the ash brought by the erupting La Soufriere volcano.

But the afternoon commute was unaffected after cleaning began at the terminals.

Alliance Owners of Public Transport spokesman Mark Haynes told Barbados TODAY he was glad the situation did not come to a boil.

But he said it was unacceptable that authorities had not seen it fit to clean the terminals as a matter of urgency.

Haynes said: “It was brought to our attention that the guys were unhappy about the manner in which the terminals were kept, in that they were not cleaned given that we had the heavy fall of the ash. Of course, it really is not safe to have operators and the commuters in such an environment because that would have the propensity to create a number of problems for all, which would be respiratory problems and other issues.

“We accept that it was nobody’s fault that the ashes were there but of course the terminals have to be cleaned as quickly as possible because thousands of commuters commute in those areas and we can’t have that to go on for an incessant period, so I think that the Transport Authority has to move with alacrity to try to address the situation, thus allowing the operators and the commuters to be happy.

“Reports that reached us were that some were contemplating pulling their vehicles off the road. What we sought to do was sensitize the workers not to go that route because we didn’t want to disadvantage the commuters, but we were glad that the Transport Authority made an effort to clean up the place because you really can’t have it. It really is an inconvenience so I would have thought that a place like the terminals where many commuters normally congregate that it would be seen as a priority for one and all.”

A frustrated PSV worker told Barbados TODAY the ash in the terminal was unbearable and said he thought of going home at one point.

“The wind was blowing the ash all about and it was really affecting my sinuses. It’s not fair to expect us to have to work in these conditions. We would have liked for at least a truck to come and wet the dust so it wouldn’t be as bad. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better,” the driver said. (RB)