THE BANNING OF MUSIC on public service vehicles (PSVs) is again on the front burner after Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashley announced last month it would be one of the amendments to the Road Traffic Act.
He said a “subculture” was being fostered through the type of music played on PSVs and it was being expressed in student conduct.
Interim chairman of the Association of Public Transport Operators Morris Lee said the existing law already had provision for such a ban and urged Government to enforce it. Reaction from members of the public was mixed. Here are some views.
Glyne Sobers: This is a culture that was created from as far back when these ZR vans were Suzuki vans. The playing of loud music and dangerous, insane driving (like rocking the cradle) were encouraged by schoolchildren and people who were just as ignorant. Now years later, new drivers and conductors and nothing changed. So who is to blame?
Bobby Gilkes: Have no problem with the music and I refuse to paint all van drivers with the same brush. I have caught Route 10 and 11 vans with bass pounding and people asked the driver to turn down the volume and it was done; no questions asked and no cussing.
Ione Mitchell: They don’t want to know why, because when commuters complain, they curse them and put them off the van. The music is so loud that the vibrations make us feel sick. The vulgar lyrics, the porn music they play for all and sundry, especially schoolchildren, is quite disgusting. They should be charged for that. Allow them to play a radio and nothing else.
Judy Kinch: Music is one thing, I have no problem with that, but what a lot of the ZRs play is downright trash. Cussing and all kinds of deplorable things they do to women, and to have small children exposed to that is ridiculious.
Thomas Katt: Ban the music on PSVs completely. As can be seen from their blatant disregard for traffic laws and all laws in general, they’re seemingly incapable of regulating themselves.
Caroline Clarke: I got into a van going from Newton to Town. The music was loud and vulgar. I had a child with me and I asked the driver to turn it down. He drove to stops, all the while cussing. I told him I wanted back my money and I got off at the next stop.
Chris Barillas: Ridiculous! Best part of the vans is the music. Once again Bajan Government fighting non-issues. How about figure out your economics before silly issues like this?
