IF YOU LISTEN to the complaints, the impression is given that the operators of public service vehicles (PSVs) are being constantly hard done by.
From the Ministry of Transport to the Royal Barbados Police Force, the law courts and even the insurance companies; they are all accused of dealing harshly with this sector.
There can be no denial that the PSV sector provides a valuable service and many opportunities, but it has also spawned a culture of disregard for law and order.
That is why the recent threat of “strike action” by operators of minibuses and ZRs to try to force Government to meet their demands is only the latest inconvenience in which commuters could find themselves. Fortunately, any withdrawal of service will not last too long. The operators are not providing a service for altruistic reasons, but are driven primarily by the desire to earn a dollar.
Our public transit system has long been faltering while demand continues to grow. The state-owned Transport Board is inefficient and a drain on the public purse, while the privately-owned PSV sector has been allowed to display intemperate behaviour for far too long.
Amid the turmoil and downright bad behaviour, we have witnessed over many years numerous interventions by ministers of Government that in most cases have come to naught. All the while the transport system has not become better and the only people who suffer are the commuters.
No one can deny that businesspeople have a right to lobby for what they regard as being in their best interest. Indeed, it is understandable why the operators need to ply the lucrative routes to remain viable. But, they must also play by the rules. Everyone knows of the chaos ZRs and minibuses often cause on Tudor Street, The City.
We must not pretend to be deaf, dumb and blind to the serious violations caused by PSVs on our roads. And while they provide an invaluable service, it comes at too high a cost to society. They have developed a culture of indiscipline which may now be difficult to break.
Government must not give in to more lawlessness. Our society is already under too much pressure from the growing level of disregard for the rule of law under the guise of upholding of individual human or civil rights.
Rather than the incessant talk we hear from officials in the Ministry of Transport, we need action now on new road traffic legislation. It is the one way to give teeth to the laws. The country must not be feeble in acting against flagrant violators.