"MAGNIFICENT and sensational" is how one of many delighted taxi drivers has described Government's decision to grant a concession on the purchase of gasoline vehicles.

"It will ease a lot of taxi drivers. Basically, we are glad for this because we had to settle for diesel vehicles which are very expensive. Now, we can buy cheaper cars," said 38-year-old Anderson Connell.

"It's the best thing he could have done. Anytime you see a Prime Minister listening to an ordinary person and take it to Parliament, he's going to be around for a long time," said president of the Bridgetown Taxi Association, Phillip Garner.

He said taxi operators were depending on the concession because it gave more options.

The taxi operators' request for duty-free concessions on lifts for cars for the disabled has also been granted.

Garner, who has 72 members in his association, said he and four operators from the seaport, airport, and the Accra Beach stands had a meeting prior to seeing the Prime Minister.

"We are very happy. I feel great today. Some members have been calling me already," he said cheerfully.

Wendell Taylor stated that in order to purchase a duty-free vehicle when the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) was in power, that vehicle had to be a BMW, Mercedes Benz or an Audi.

"Purchasing any of those vehicles, we are looking at having to pay an insurance premium of over $15 000. Now I can go to Simpson Motors or NASSCO and purchase an affordable car," said the rejoicing 40-year-old.

Barry Brathwaite, a taxi operator for the last 12 years, said: "This action might cause an increase of taxi operators; I do not want there to be any more taxi operators right now."

Brathwaite, currently an owner of both diesel and gasoline vehicles, said he would not take advantage of this action by asking for a raise in taxi fares.

"Raising taxi fares at this time will only run customers. Let things remain as it is for a while, then work from there. This Prime Minister knows what he is doing," said the 36-year-old St Michael resident.

"I was expecting it," said a taxi driver who gave his name as Henderson. "We can now afford cheaper cars. Gasoline vehicles are much cheaper and easier to maintain than diesel vehicles. We were in bondage for too long and were hurt and suffering from high gas prices."

Not only was 38-year-old taxi driver Pedro Harrison happy with the Prime Minister's decision to grant a concession on the purchase of gasoline vehicles, but he also told the DAILY NATION he was pleased with the decision to have school children in uniform travel on the bus to and from school free.

"They need to insist that if school children want to travel on the minibuses, they pay $1.50 like any other citizen," said Harrison. (KB/AH/MM)