Mandatory training proposed for public transport workers

THE GOVERNMENT is taking steps to introduce mandatory training for persons involved in the public transport sector.

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Transport and Works, Dr Morais Guy, said operators of public passenger vehicles would be certified through a joint training exercise between the Transport Authority and the HEART Trust/NTA.

The transport operators will be issued with permits similar to the identification cards now being used by hackney carriage drivers, upon completion of the course.

In his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament on Tuesday, Guy announced that the Government would reintroduce metered taxi service for hackney carriage operators islandwide.

Guy warned that recalcitrant drivers would face suspension and revocation under a new policy being pursued by the administration.

Requirement

The Government also plans to introduce a requirement whereby applicants for road licences, permits and badges will be required to present proof of address.

A rationalisation programme is also being implemented for the 51 route taxi associations over the next four months.

Guy told his colleague lawmakers that reviews of membership dues, operational efficiency and service delivery will form part of the rationalisation process.

With the rationalisation exercise, associations with membership numbering fewer than 100 persons are being required to consider the options of dissolution or merging with other associations.

The establishment of a cap on the number of associations per parish is also being considered. According to Guy, this would result in each parish being assigned a limit of two or three associations.

"The policy framework has been outlined to a wide cross section of associations and umbrella groups, and there is constant dialogue and discussions in a bid to reach consensus," Guy added.