AOPT to discuss plan with Bridgetown operators to extend work hours

By Shamar Blunt

Chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) Roy Raphael, says the association will meet soon with public service vehicle (PSV) operators who work the Bridgetown route to discuss how a more reliable service could be provided for those travelling during the night. 

Raphael says the present situation is a distressing one for commuters, who are often left stranded for hours on the island’s roads at night.

“We are going to be having a meeting shortly with all public service vehicle operators who work late at night. We are going  to meet with them in the Cheapside Terminal to discuss the way forward, because a number of people always complain at night [that] they can’t get home, because the fact remains that most operators finish work at 6.”

Though Raphael noted that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Works and Water Resources, Santia Bradshaw expressed interest publicly about meeting with operators to address the commuting difficulties highlighted by the travelling public, he said no date had been set for the talks.

He hopes that operators and other stakeholders could soon finalise a framework that will see a reliable and safe service implemented during the night, which would not only help to get persons home safely, but reduce traffic congestion.

“Our fear is that if people can’t get home or can’t get to work you will see more traffic on the roads… It is important that the stakeholders make it easier for the travelling public to get on a bus quickly to get home.

“Sometimes you have to wait two hours to get a bus to go to the countryside… We have over 800 PSVs, once there is a structure in place, people will work at night.” (SB)