It wasn’t a surprise last year to see Barbadians support and, in some cases, celebrate the decision to have PSV operators wear uniforms again, along with having their ID badges conspicuously displayed on the front of their shirts. This initiative wasn’t a first and even though I was happy to hear it being reintroduced, I was more concerned as to how long it would last and how it would be regulated.
Although I didn’t expect the regulations to be adhered to, I was still very disappointed and even upset when they weren’t. I have been encouraged not to let these things fluster and upset me because this is just how Barbados is. Unfortunately, I can’t accept that this is how we do things. Within a week, many of the operators were back to short pants, slippers and T-shirts; it was just a shame.
For the last ten months I have observed that most of those operators who look like they would fall into the “over 40” age group, generally observed the regulations and most of them drove minibuses. It was the younger ZR operators that seemed to do their own thing.
I have had parents argue with me that “deportment and uniforms” have nothing to do with education and teachers need to stop harassing the children. From my experience when I was a teacher, I can tell you that most of the children who disregarded the dress code with encouragement from their parents, were children that had a significant challenge following other rules. From observation, I have seen some of those operators who refuse to adhere to the dress code also refuse to adhere to other rules and traffic regulations.
On two or three occasions, I journeyed into the van stands only to see chaos and disorder when there weren’t any police around. If you are a regular commuter who journeys along Constitution Road by the exit and entrance to the River Van Stand on mornings and evenings, you would also witness the chaos created by some of these operators, (well, when there isn’t a police presence). Those who use the Sir Garfield Sobers Roundabout or the roundabout at the bottom of Lower Collymore Rock can testify to the reckless driving, jumping the queue and improper use of the roundabout.
It is very important that these regulations be enforced, as I believe they would set a good foundation to bring order across the community. Maybe, just maybe, if we can get our PSV community to consistently adhere to the dress code, they may feel encouraged to abide by the passenger limit, staying on route and any other traffic regulations.
There is a disturbing trend that has been going on for many years that is very dangerous. Many schools have a ZR or minibus or sometimes both that collect children very close to the school. These “hard vans” as the children sometimes call them are always overloaded. From the outside you can see children packed on top of each other with some leaning on the windows and others standing in the doorway with the conductor the only thing preventing them from falling out. If any of these vehicles were to get into an accident, the outcome would be catastrophic. I know that the authorities are aware of this trend and I want to encourage them to do all they can to remedy it.
My last concern is the number of PSV operators who stop at shops while transporting the passengers – some of whom are children – to buy alcohol sometimes to consume on the route. One drink is too many and I am one who would welcome breathalyser tests. These bad apples are giving those decent, professional, hard-working drivers and conductors a bad name.
• Corey Worrell is a former Commonwealth Youth Ambassador. Email coreyworrell@gmail.com
