Khan threatens to revoke PBR passes

MAXI-TAXI drivers who are exploiting passengers along the East/West corridor and causing transportation woes are being warned that their Priority Bus Route (PBR) passes can be revoked. Their actions have been dubbed “a crime against commuters” by Minister of Works and Transport, Franklin Khan, who also advised passengers to “desist from paying double fares” to get to Port-of-Spain. Speaking yesterday at the commissioning of 11 new PTSC buses at the South Quay compound of the corporation, Khan said he was well aware of the transportation headaches faced by commuters. He said at least 37 new buses are to be acquired by PTSC to meet the increasing demand for transport. Due to the shortage of PTSC buses to service the demand of commuters on the route, in addition to traffic caused by the increasing number of private vehicles with PBR passes, a number of  maxi-taxi operators have been abusing the situation by “going short,” to Curepe and San Juan, during the morning rush hour.

They then make trips from those points into Port-of-Spain. The practice has forced several passengers to pay double fares in order to get to work on time. He took blame for the increasing number of private vehicles with PBR passes on the route, pointing out that many persons from all spheres of society request passes with a variety of reasons to justify their need. He said some were also willing to pay high prices to get the passes   if they could be bought. As a result, he said a team of officials from the ministry was mandated to make recommendations to “put the matter right.” He urged maxi-taxi operators to desist from the practice because “we can do things.” he said one option was to set up sting operations, and if clear evidence is obtained, those maxi-taxi operators found guilty of the “short drop” practice could have their passes easily withdrawn. Khan also assured that come next year, the number of private vehicles on the PBR would be substantially decreased.

He also announced that Cabinet had approved the acquisition of 25 new buses. The buses will be able to accommodate the differently-abled and other passengers. He said it was a move to “fully integrate all members of the public and to remove segregation.” Additio-nally, Khan said PTSC had already ordered 12 articulated buses to seat 90 persons each, which are expected to be delivered in four to six months. He said it should bring relief during the peak hours to commuters who are sometimes stranded.  Earlier, at the commissioning, chairman of the PTSC, Ethelbert Paul, agreed there were not enough buses to meet the demand, saying he had shed tears over their inability to satisfy the travelling public. PTSC’s chief executive officer, Eddison Isaac, said there was a time when PTSC operated almost 300 buses, but these days they are down to 120. He said most of its “limping fleet” was close to 20 years old, and “scheduling was a nightmare” which was “out of proportion to satisfy demands.” Isaac said when he saw the frustrated commuters in long lines spent unproductively, he was extremely saddened that there were not enough buses.