THOUSANDS OF COMMUTERS across Barbados who depend on privately-owned transportation found themselves waiting longer than usual this morning.
As school children and workers tried to make their way through heavy showers and flooded streets, they had the added inconvenience of lengthy waits at bus stops and in bus terminals as public sector vehicle (PSV) operators pulled their buses and vans off the streets over claims of unmet promises by the Ministry of Transport and Works and the Transport Authority.
While some operators defied a decision taken Sunday by the Alliance of Owners of Public Transport Inc (AOPT) and the Association of Public Transport Operators (APTO) and continued to service their routes, spokesperson for the two groups Ingrid King told NATIONNEWS.COMÂ the message they wanted to send had been delivered.Â
She pointed out that action was supported by all the operators who attended the meeting and was also being backed by the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW).
King declined to say for long the strike action would continue but confirmed a meeting between the PSVs operators and Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashley was planned for tomorrow and they would be attending.
Approximately 600 buses and vans are operated by PSV owners across the island, while the publicly-owned Transport Board has a fleet of just under 250 buses at its peak. (GE)
