From as early as next weekend, some taxi, ZR and minibus drivers will be outfitted with security cameras and GPS machines in their vehicles and they would be asking commuters to lower their masks upon entering, as part of new security measures.
Chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) Roy Raphael told Barbados TODAY that the security measures were necessary given the mounting concerns among privately-owned public service vehicle (PSV) operators about safety.
“The fact is that we are a vulnerable group and we are going to start putting measures in place as early as next week. While we await the statement from the Prime Minister related to crime, we are very concerned about the criminal activity happening in Barbados as it relates to gun violence. We will be open to meet with the Commissioner of Police to have our concerns addressed,” said Raphael.
“We are going to be tightening our security by asking persons who enter our vehicles to lower their masks; some vehicles will be carrying cameras onboard, both taxi operators and ZR operators; we also will be putting GPS onboard and we are going to also ask the police for a direct line that we can communicate with them in the case of an emergency,” he said.
While he was unable to say exactly how widespread violence against PSV operators was, Raphael said even one case was of grave concern for him and his organisation, which represents hundreds of transportation sector operators.
He said some of the older taxi and ZR operators were so concerned about the flare up in gunplay in recent times that they have started to pull their service way before the usual time. This, he said, was coupled with the high costs of gasoline and diesel.
“There are some routes that I will not name, that it could become very challenging for us. That is why we are saying to people, personalise your taxis. I know already that some routes you will find that some operators come off the road very early. It is not only because of the safety concerns, but it also has a lot to do with gasoline and diesel prices. The amount we pay in diesel and gasoline per day means we can no longer go past certain period during the day,” he explained.
Raphael urged operators to be more vigilant as they pick up individuals along the routes especially after sunset and not leave the engine of their vehicles idle or to keep their vehicle keys in sight.
As the country moves into the final two weeks of the Crop Over season, Raphael said he was also calling on PSV and taxi operators to give their full cooperation to law enforcement officials.
At the same time, he is pleading with police officers to give taxi operators a break when they go to events to pick up individuals and have to wait a few minutes. He argued that there have been too many complaints from taxi drivers that police are quick to report them.
“They are basically fed up and vex because every time they go to a venue to pick up persons they are either reported by the police or they are asked to move on. The police need to understand a taxi is supposed to operate from any place to pick up and set down, once you are not obstructing traffic. I think the cooperation is very important to us. I want to appeal to the National Cultural Foundation and police to work with us. Most of our operators carry a sticker on their vehicles identifying who they are. Once you have an issue you can contact our office,” said Raphael.
Officials of the AOPT were scheduled to meet with representatives from the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. on Thursday to discuss several of their concerns. However, due to unforeseen circumstances that meeting had to be rescheduled.
