GODFREY Ferdinand, President of the National Council on Public Transportation (NCOPT), is committed to transforming the sector by launching significant initiatives this year to boost income-generating operations for minibus drivers in a safer, more adequate and sustainable environment.
This week, he gave The Voice a concise and update on the NCOPT’s membership status, as well as aggressive plans on improvements and changes to help drivers work more effectively.
Ferdinand firmly urges for the formation of a Disciplinary Committee to oversee the behaviour of mini-bus drivers, asking that the Ministry of Transport take necessary measures to address this issue.
Furthermore, the NCOPT will formally voice its discontent with the relevant authorities regarding the island’s dismal road networks and the poor quality of repair activities. The NCOPT is also proactively working to provide items to its members, allowing them to save money on car component purchases.
In terms of transportation logistics, Ferdinand stated unequivocally that ‘larger buses’ will be used on major routes, while smaller mini-buses will convey passengers on secondary roads.
Q: Can you provide an update on the status of the NCOPT and its membership over the past year?
Ferdinand: It has been very challenging for us; we’ve not experienced these kinds of challenges as severe as now. We’ve got a road network that is failing and …needs to be under rehabilitation.
[On the issue of providing services to NCOPT members], he disclosed: We are negotiating with at least two companies …so that we will be able to supply our members with their buses instead of going through third parties and persons importing vehicles for them, and their monies being at risk. One of the companies is from Japan, and the other is from China.
We are in discussion with one of the companies to introduce electric mini-buses…and it’s not for all routes, (but) the routes that can sustain it.
Q: There are growing concerns about road conditions in the country. Despite previous repairs, the situation remains unsatisfactory. What decisive measures do you believe should be taken to address this issue?
Ferdinand: The council is disappointed with the road network, particularly with the contractors responsible for repairing two major roads – the Millennium Highway and the West Coast (Road Project).
After an executive meeting this week, we decided to write the stakeholders – the contractors, as well as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), to indicate our notice of ‘Protest Action’ if we are not taken seriously. We will give them seven days to reply to our letter and then we will decide on our next move.
We feel that the contractors are not sensitive to our concerns as road users; we will write to the CDB, the contractors (company), and the government of Saint Lucia.
Q: Your agency has raised concerns about the absence of a Disciplinary Committee to oversee driver affairs. What steps are being taken to resolve these issues?
Ferdinand: We are discussing the issue of our Disciplinary Committee with the government, and we will also give them a deadline on that issue. We will also be discussing strengthening our relations with the Ministry of Transport.
There will be an appointed Disciplinary Committee within the Ministry of Transport and they will address matters about mini-buses; especially when members of a respective association affiliated with the NCOPT are unable to deal with the matter at hand. For instance, if the matter requires the revocation of a permit, the department authorised to handle this issue is – The Ministry of Transport.
But they need to have a committee in place to make that recommendation to the board and to the minister. The NCOPT will have a representative on the committee, but it would entail a member association bringing in complaints from the association to the ministry about a person’s behavior.
Q: The government has proposed using larger buses on main routes with smaller buses servicing secondary routes. What is your association’s official stance on this proposal?
We have discussed this issue with the government …and the minister has referenced the CDB report. We are discussing with the government how to facilitate some of the recommendations from the CDB report; and if there is a need for us to upgrade the system with bigger buses within the associations, we will do that.
Some associations have started (to utilise bigger buses) and the 2H Route (Vieux Fort) already has one coaster, and we are encouraging some associations (routes) to utilise at least two or three coasters to facilitate an upgrade. We do not want individual members to purchase these bigger buses, but rather, for the respective “association coaster” plying the route to avert any problems. So, it would take care of the backlog of passengers that we are seeing at some of the bus stands right now.
We will make recommendations on the scheduling of buses and put in an App so persons can know where the nearest bus is on any given day, and we will have that discussion with the Ministry of Transport because they also have to assist us with this endeavour.
The introduction of bigger buses will not impact veteran and long-serving drivers. It’s a pilot project where you have …the most I can envisage (bigger buses) on any major route is four (4) coasters. We have to test the ground to see how it works, and we do not want any situation of displacement, so that’s why it has to be ‘association-owned’ and not a company coming in and setting that up.
We will give our members the option of purchasing electric vehicles, as well as, gas vehicles; and we will continue pursuing using a ‘cashless system’ and all the other systems recommended by the CDB report.
Q: There have been reports of incentives provided to mini-bus operators in the past. How effective have these initiatives been, and what additional support do drivers require to enhance their operations?
Ferdinand: Well, definitely, the subsidies that the government has been giving us are not sufficient. For instance, the last subsidy that the government gave us was $900 per driver annually. If one equates $900 by 365 days, the government gives a driver less than a dollar so as not to raise the bus fares.
The rebate was provided about four years ago, and we have not received any additional rebates from the government.
Q: A significant issue is the lack of bus availability during peak periods, before and after working hours. Is your membership aware of this situation, and what actions can be taken to alleviate it?
Ferdinand: This is a critical issue, and we are discussing how we start scheduling buses after the ‘rush hour.’ So, we will recommend how they can educate (inform) their passengers as to when and how long they have to wait for a bus. So, on any given day, the information will be there as to how long a bus will take after the rush hour to get to you.
We will work towards a standard ‘cut-off time’ for mini-buses …and that’s why we are working on a scheduled bus system after hours, after the rush hours, and on holidays and Sundays.
Additionally, we are looking at alternative routes to get to the north, and we are looking at an ‘Express System.’ For instance, if a passenger is heading to Gros Islet and does not want to take the chance of going via the highway, we can maybe use the alternative route through Morne Du Don, Carielles, and these areas and go through Babonneau and then Rivière Mitant.
With this ‘Express System’ it would be a non-stop drive to the location with a full bus load …but it would cost you a little more. These are options that are being discussed and pursued by the NCOPT in consultation with the ministry and the respective associations.
Reginald Andrew