Transport owners seek urgent meeting as TAP operators dwindle

Private owners of public service vehicles are urgently seeking a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Works Santia Bradshaw before month-end amid claims of dwindling support for the Transportation Augmentation Programme (TAP).

The programme, which began in 2019, involves owners of coaches and minibuses working alongside the Transport Board to augment its fleet. But according to Rodney Bellamy, vice chairman of the TAP committee, the number of participants has been declining.

“There has been a reduction in the TAP numbers, the number of persons operating, based on certain observations. I don’t have official numbers but there has been a downward trend,” Bellamy said on Tuesday. He specifically noted a decline in TAP vehicles servicing the Granville Williams and Princess Alice bus terminals.

The most pressing issue for owners is the TAP participation fee, which currently stands at 10 per cent of their gross daily earnings. Bellamy argues that this should be drastically reduced to no more than three per cent, considering the current economic situation and the costs borne by owners.

“Running these businesses can be tough, we are not dealing with the youngest of vehicles,” Bellamy explained. “We are assisting the Transport Board to provide a service but all working and operational expenses are at us and everything is taxed.”

Untimely payments are another significant concern, according to the TAP operators’ spokesman. While there has been a slight improvement in the past four months, with payments being made on the contractually agreed date of the 15th, this has not always been the case, Bellamy said. He recounted instances of payments being delayed by up to two and a half months, severely affecting owners’ cash flows.

A third issue raised by some owners is the allocation of routes, with concerns about potential favouritism in assigning what are considered more lucrative routes. But Bellamy cautioned against jumping to conclusions without full information.

The owners are also seeking incentives for working later hours and wish to put forward ideas for programme improvements.

Bellamy expressed hope that the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Bradshaw would take place before the end of the month, stating that he had it “on good authority” that she would meet with the owners soon. 

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb