THERE ARE SO many more important issues to deal with concerning public service vehicles (PSVs) than radios, such as the bad driving practices of some drivers.
Street Beat took another trip to the Constitution River terminal following a visit from Minister of Transport Michael Lashley on June 13 after the horrific accident on June 10 that resulted in 14-year-old Zakiyah Defreitas losing an arm.
Commuter Mandy Parris was waiting patiently for the van of her choice. She said this was necessary because she did not catch vehicles driven by “reckless” drivers.
“I choose which vans I want to get in. if one [a driver] drives like an idiot, I don’t get in,” she said.
Even so, she said she did not agree with the removal of radios from PSVs.
“They can’t do that because people want to hear the news and it won’t change anything anyway,” she said.
As for the accident, she said it was “hurtful” but some schoolchildren instigated things by encouraging the drivers to perform unsafe manoeuvres.
Another commuter, who requested anonymity, identified routes eight and nine as well behaved while in the terminal but hardly anyone else. She said owners had to take responsibility for their drivers by being more careful who they hired.
Ishmael Cain said he wanted Lashley to take a ride with him one day so he could get a first-hand account of the real issues, although he added the minister would have to pay the fare. He agreed with the stipulations for uniforms but said radios were a non-issue.
“We need a greater police presence in the van stand; we need it cleaned up and we need the magistrate to stop making fun at we,” Cain said. “What’s wrong with radios? Deal with the idiots instead, we want the bad drivers stamped out too. I play Christian music, so taking them out is childish behaviour.”
Driver/owner Gerry Davis said the major issue was the number of permits being given, especially on his route. He also complained about bad driving.
“Schoolchildren will catch a van and make idiots do foolishness whether there is a radio or not,” he said.
In general, PSV operators identified too many permits being issued, no cover from the elements, poor lighting, “unfair” treatment in court, and some drivers’ attitudes as all higher on the list than removing radios from PSVs, which was said to be a reactive measure which would ultimately prove ineffective.
“Radios ain’t the issue. A van does come with a tape deck, a CD player and a radio while some choose to put in amps [amplifiers]. The truth is, the same people making noise to take out the music does bring their CDs to drivers to get them to promote their fetes,” said route seven driver Roger Marshall.
The PSV driver said the bathroom being shut from 2 p.m to 4 p.m was a bigger issue, adding the plans for a revamped terminal was in place before the Democratic Labour Party returned to power and was nothing new.
“It is all just promises. They need to stop waiting until a major accident happens to pull down everybody. Now they telling we drivers who don’t have conductors we need to get two badges,” he said.
Dennis Maloney, another route seven driver, said amps were a different issue than radios, which were a necessary tool.
“The majority of vans come with radios. When you leave home early on mornings and work until night and you don’t have a radio, you will be like an idiot not knowing what’s going on,” he said.
Another driver/owner said the removal of radios was “petty foolishness” as they would be unable to hear important news and information bulletins.
carlosatwell@nationnews.com
