#BTEditorial – Regulate PSVs now. For good

Transport authorities, the Alliance Owners of Public Transport and the Association of Public Transport Operators have all collectively failed to put the brakes on the unacceptable conduct of many public service vehicle operators.

Drivers, pedestrians and even passengers daily cringe at the reckless behaviour exhibited by the presumed ‘bad apples’ who fail to appreciate their duty to take passengers safely and comfortably to their destinations.

Most of us know the common indiscretions: speeding; cutting dangerously into the path of drivers, using ‘shortcuts’ that are not part of their authorized routes, playing loud, lewd music, blocking road ways, dragging and we could go on.

The number of cases in which drivers and conductors face the traffic courts does not help the negative perception either.

We accept that they are several operators who ply an honest living, ferrying commuters to and from their destinations. The industry is made up of many honest, working-class citizens who provide for their families.

But far too often, the bad overshadows the good and now, this issue must be confronted head on. Safety for passengers and road users and the provision of better services can no longer be compromised.

At the weekend, a terrified passenger took to social media to warn the public to stay clear of PSVs after describing a harrowing experience.

The passenger said: “We’ve just been in the most frightening crash about 30 minutes ago. It was packed and we were holding on at the front. He was bombing it and two buses had stopped to have a chat side by side. Our bus’ brakes failed and we were sent hurtling over and down the dip opposite the Beach Club in Holetown. Fortunately, I don’t think anyone was injured, but terribly shaken up. Terrifying experience.”

The incident is being investigated by AOPT, said Chairman Roy Raphael, who also made clear the association does not support reckless behaviour.

But it was his revelation that the association has been forced to shut down the operations of the very division set up to  investigate the public’s complaints of improper conduct that raises a red flag.

Raphael explained that the association could no longer foot the $1,000 bill to keep the division functioning.

This may be understandable in light of the major challenges the industry has endured with the severe falloff in passengers steming from lockdowns and restrictions during the height of COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, the spiralling cost of fuel at the pump.

The AOPT has reported an estimated $40 million loss to the industry.

But it is also certainly unacceptable that this complaints division is now closed, given the still high level of complaints about the conduct of PSV drivers.

In fact, Raphael himself revealed that the department, which had two highly-trained investigators would receive between 25- 30 complaints per day – the ones that manage to be reported.

There needs to be a working mechanism for the public to fairly and accurately report the facts about PSV recklessness  on our roads.

We suggest this is also an opportunity for insurance companies that desire the safety of all road users to partner with PSV bodies to help fund the operation of such a critical unit.

And what of the role of the Transport Authority?

During discussions on the Appropriations Bill 2022, back in February, Transport and Works Minister Santia Bradshaw noted that the authority, which is responsible for over 900 PSVs, must act to address service quality issues including poor driving and temperament that sometimes results in either accidents or confrontations.

She said: “The time has come for us though to address the bad behavior. I can certainly say to the public that we have transport regulations that are coming. It is our intention to be able to go back to Parliament and get those approved and certainly be in a position shortly, to roll out an extensive campaign to ensure that drivers who are on our roads going forward with the PSVs, basically comply with a certain level of standards that allow us to be comfortable that we are safe when we use these particular vehicles.”

But beyond the rhetoric and intent, we need action to clean up the private transit industry before death and mayhem have the final word. For if the industry fails so spectacularly to rival itself, it is entirely in the public interest to insist that the state regulate this public good, for good.