PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLE (PSV) operators are putting their feet on the gas to accelerate a working solution to ensure the survival of their operations.

Vice-president of the Minibus Association Morris Lee told the SATURDAY SUN yesterday that a meeting would be held tomorrow at the offices of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) "to not only discuss the financial impact of what is happening but also other areas of concern that we may have that will be relative and relevant to the improvement of transport in Barbados as a whole".

"Obviously, the major concerns on the minds of the operators are the high costs of fuel coupled with other operating costs like licence fees and so on which have been a concern for over a decade," he explained.

Importance

Lee said PSV operators were cognisant of the fact that transport was of "paramount importance" to the country, "but at the same time we obviously have to be discussing ways and means to have a level playing field".

"We will also be discussing other aspects including ways we can make the system work better. We had a series of meetings with Government and the Ministries of Energy and Transport and we want to apprise the membership of the outcome of those meetings because there are also some developments to bring to the table as well," he added.

Both the minibus and route taxi associations are expected to attend tomorrow's meeting at Dalkeith Road, St Michael at 4:30 p.m., but Lee urged others who were unaware to attend what he called a very critical meeting.

In addition, he said subsequent meetings would be held with the Royal Barbados Police Force and other stakeholders to facilitate a continuous and wholesome approach in dealing with the PSVs.

Meanwhile, the marketing and corporate communications manager of the Transport Board, Lynda Holder, said management was in discussion with the Ministry of Public Works on how they would deal with the increased fuel costs.

tracymoore@nationnews.com