These were some of the issues the panellists and callers tackled on Voice Of Barbados' Brass Tacks Sunday which looked at the role
of the PSVs in bringing an end
to the traffic management problems in Barbados.

"People are terrified," said one caller. "And there is no number for a passenger to call and complain. The loud music encourages the children on the PSV. The police cannot do it all and they know where the police is because they stop each other and
tell each other, the police 'round
de corner'.

"If you want to get out they cuss you and tell you that you ain't getting your money back," the caller said.

This led moderator Tony Marshall to suggest that the roads had become "a place of danger" because of those who operated PSVs in "a callous way".

He said: "There is no question about it. The ownership of the minibuses and the ZRs have done insufficient as far as the public can be aware to have helped to bring these matters under control . . . more particularly for the students
of this country."

Tender for routes

Marshall suggested PSV operators/owners should be made
to tender for routes adding that stricter terms and conditions be imposed when licences were issued.

Meanwhile, president of the ZR Association of Barbados Frank Forde said the problems had been plaguing the PSV sector for many years despite meetings with the Commissioner of Police, representatives of insurance companies, the Licensing Authority and others.

He said solutions had been put forward "but up to now nothing has been done. I understand what the public is going through dealing with PSVs," Forde said. "I know they stop and run into shops and buy drinks, some alcoholic, and hop back and block up the road. I know I get fed
up of it."

However, Acting Assistant Superintendent Leon Blades, one of the panellists, said the problem not only rested with the operators but also with the judicial system which he said was backlogged. He, however, urged commuters to do their part and abide by the laws.

President of the Minibus Association, Dennis Tull, argued that legislation was on the books to address every infringement but there was not enough enforcement.

tracymoore@nationnews.com