TRANSPORT AUTHORITY TO GET GREEN LIGHT TO CRACK DOWN ON PSV ‘NUISANCES’
By Marlon Madden
Lawmakers are moving to put the brakes on bad behaviour among public service vehicle (PSV) workers by giving the Transport Authority greater power to enforce rules governing the sector.
Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Santia Bradshaw expressed concern that the behaviour of some PSV operators was making it unsafe for passengers and other road users, as she introduced the Transport Authority (Amendment Bill) in Parliament on Tuesday.
“The challenge has been that without a proper regulatory framework of enforcement, the actions of what I consider to be a minority of the operators has become a nuisance to this society over time,” she said.
Changes to Sections 4 and 23 of the legislation make provision for the Transport Authority to be the entity responsible for issuing, suspending and cancelling the licences, permits and badges of drivers and conductors of PSVs, motor omnibuses, minibuses and route taxis.
Currently, the regulatory body issues the permit approval letters authorising vehicles to be used as PSVs while the permits are issued by the Barbados Licensing Authority.
Bradshaw explained that the current status quo “has been the source of much contention and the root problem of the issues of enforcement of the Transport Authority”.
However, she explained that with the changes, the Transport Authority will carry out enforcement and be the entity to issue the licences, permits and badges for PSVs.
“I want to make it abundantly clear in this debate that this amendment, and certainly the regulations that will follow, must at the outset be viewed as an attempt by this administration to ensure the safety, first and foremost, of persons who use public service vehicles in this country. This is not an area where we can compromise,” said Bradshaw.
The amendments and regulations will apply to seven categories of public transport – minibuses, taxis, chartered buses, limousines, hired vehicles, route taxis and maxi taxis, also known as ZRs – which control about 80 per cent of the market.
“The truth of the matter is that this is not about picking on one individual or entity over the other. This must be seen as an issue of safety that is affecting our country and indiscipline that is creeping into the country that we need to stem,” the Transport Minister said.
“It, therefore, means that our attempts through regulations now to be able to place a greater onus on all of the stakeholders has to be welcomed by all of the general public because we are not picking and choosing who we target in this scenario . . . . If we are going to bring an end to what is happening, everybody has to start to pull their weight in relation to being able to stomp out these behaviours.”
It is estimated that just over 30 000 commuters use the services of PSVs daily and there are currently about 8 753 active vehicles in the seven categories of transportation, of which the active number of routed PSVs is about 1 700.
Bradshaw said the regulations will be designed to ensure greater safety, stomp out indiscipline in the sector and make sure that PSV operators and owners of those vehicles are all held accountable.
She opted not to give an exact date for the rollout of the regulations but said they have already been drafted, vetted, and approved by Cabinet.
Among other things, the regulations will make provisions for penalties where applicable; hiring additional transport inspectors – there are currently only two; use of technology (drone/cameras); and outline the process for applying for a permit.
“As it relates to things like stereo sets and TV sets and radios, we are very clear that the owners are not to install or authorise the playing of those types of devices. If there is a set in the vehicles those will have to be removed,” Bradshaw warned.
The regulations are also expected to address issues such as having weapons, smoking, eating and drinking while operating a PSV, cutting queues, racing engines or “loud and unnecessary” noise while waiting to pick up passengers, overloading, driving with the doors opened, individuals/conductors speaking with a driver while a vehicle is in motion, the wearing of unapproved uniforms, loitering for the purpose of soliciting passengers, and stopping outside of designated areas to pick up or let off passengers.
Adding that stakeholders should expect modifications to the regulations over time, Bradshaw said once they are rolled out, the Transport Ministry will meet with representatives of PSV bodies, and embark on an education and sensitisation campaign with the help of the Government Information Service (GIS).
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb
