Confronting the traffic monster
Over the past months, people using the Express Commuter Service have been complaining about poor service from the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC). The unreliability of the buses, which have not been arriving on time and only at long intervals, has cut the number of passengers to more than half, with people turning to maxis and taxis instead. Now, with 12 new buses on the service, the passengers may return. But, even from now, people must be wondering how long these new buses will last. Not only in the PTSC, but in virtually every government department which has a large fleet of vehicles, maintenance remains a perpetual problem. It almost seems as though the people in charge prefer to run vehicles into the ground and then buy new ones, rather than have a programme in place to keep those bought in top condition. This is inexcusable in any organisation, but it is especially unforgivable in the PTSC, whose sole function is to provide cheap and efficient transportation to citizens. This is not even a question of profitability. While it would be good if the PTSC could make money, it is understood that the economic benefits of a good public transport system extend beyond the bottom line. And public transport has become even more crucial given the growing number of cars on the road, which has created long lines of crawling traffic every morning and evening on the nation’s highways. At the same time, the PTSC cannot be buying expensive buses which, after a few years, end up non-functional because of improper maintenance or because spare parts can’t be found. With these new buses hitting the road, now might be an opportune time for the Works and Transport Ministry to revamp the PTSC’s maintenance programme, which is surely deficient. PTSC chairman Ethelbert Paul also issued an appeal to the public to stop vandalising the buses — a pathetic statement, inasmuch as the persons who deface and damage the buses are hardly going to be moved by the argument that they are damaging their own tax-funded property. No, what the PTSC has to do is put plain clothes security personnel on its buses for a few months, who will arrest and charge vandals. And that exercise must continue randomly, after the first few arrests. This is a move which will surely find favour with the majority of law-abiding commuters and save the PTSC at least half a million dollars annually. The Corporation must also consider not renting its buses for excursions, for this is where a lot of the vandalism occurs. But if it decides to continue this practice, then the contract under which the vehicle is rented must ensure that somebody is liable for any damage incurred during the excursion. All this can only be part of an overall plan to improve the transport situation in the country. On the same day that the PTSC unveiled its new buses, new Works Minister Colm Imbert announced that work on the highway interchange project at the Churchill Roosevelt and Uriah Butler highways will start before December. However, commuters will be more interested in when the interchange will be finished. Mr Imbert also announced plans to add lanes to the highways but, given the rapidity with which new cars are coming on the road, this can only be a temporary solution. The government must also consider more innovative measures, such as mandating that anyone who buys a new or foreign-used car must also purchase an old car, which the authorities will take off the roads. Only by such a multi-pronged approach will we get control of the traffic situation in the country. Over the past months, people using the Express Commuter Service have been complaining about poor service from the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC). The unreliability of the buses, which have not been arriving on time and only at long intervals, has cut the number of passengers to more than half, with people turning to maxis and taxis instead. Now, with 12 new buses on the service, the passengers may return. But, even from now, people must be wondering how long these new buses will last. Not only in the PTSC, but in virtually every government department which has a large fleet of vehicles, maintenance remains a perpetual problem. It almost seems as though the people in charge prefer to run vehicles into the ground and then buy new ones, rather than have a programme in place to keep those bought in top condition. This is inexcusable in any organisation, but it is especially unforgivable in the PTSC, whose sole function is to provide cheap and efficient transportation to citizens. This is not even a question of profitability. While it would be good if the PTSC could make money, it is understood that the economic benefits of a good public transport system extend beyond the bottom line. And public transport has become even more crucial given the growing number of cars on the road, which has created long lines of crawling traffic every morning and evening on the nation’s highways. At the same time, the PTSC cannot be buying expensive buses which, after a few years, end up non-functional because of improper maintenance or because spare parts can’t be found. With these new buses hitting the road, now might be an opportune time for the Works and Transport Ministry to revamp the PTSC’s maintenance programme, which is surely deficient. PTSC chairman Ethelbert Paul also issued an appeal to the public to stop vandalising the buses — a pathetic statement, inasmuch as the persons who deface and damage the buses are hardly going to be moved by the argument that they are damaging their own tax-funded property. No, what the PTSC has to do is put plain clothes security personnel on its buses for a few months, who will arrest and charge vandals. And that exercise must continue randomly, after the first few arrests. This is a move which will surely find favour with the majority of law-abiding commuters and save the PTSC at least half a million dollars annually. The Corporation must also consider not renting its buses for excursions, for this is where a lot of the vandalism occurs. But if it decides to continue this practice, then the contract under which the vehicle is rented must ensure that somebody is liable for any damage incurred during the excursion. All this can only be part of an overall plan to improve the transport situation in the country. On the same day that the PTSC unveiled its new buses, new Works Minister Colm Imbert announced that work on the highway interchange project at the Churchill Roosevelt and Uriah Butler highways will start before December. However, commuters will be more interested in when the interchange will be finished. Mr Imbert also announced plans to add lanes to the highways but, given the rapidity with which new cars are coming on the road, this can only be a temporary solution. The government must also consider more innovative measures, such as mandating that anyone who buys a new or foreign-used car must also purchase an old car, which the authorities will take off the roads. Only by such a multi-pronged approach will we get control of the traffic situation in the country. Over the past months, people using the Express Commuter Service have been complaining about poor service from the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC). The unreliability of the buses, which have not been arriving on time and only at long intervals, has cut the number of passengers to more than half, with people turning to maxis and taxis instead. Now, with 12 new buses on the service, the passengers may return. But, even from now, people must be wondering how long these new buses will last. Not only in the PTSC, but in virtually every government department which has a large fleet of vehicles, maintenance remains a perpetual problem. It almost seems as though the people in charge prefer to run vehicles into the ground and then buy new ones, rather than have a programme in place to keep those bought in top condition. This is inexcusable in any organisation, but it is especially unforgivable in the PTSC, whose sole function is to provide cheap and efficient transportation to citizens. This is not even a question of profitability. While it would be good if the PTSC could make money, it is understood that the economic benefits of a good public transport system extend beyond the bottom line. And public transport has become even more crucial given the growing number of cars on the road, which has created long lines of crawling traffic every morning and evening on the nation’s highways. At the same time, the PTSC cannot be buying expensive buses which, after a few years, end up non-functional because of improper maintenance or because spare parts can’t be found. With these new buses hitting the road, now might be an opportune time for the Works and Transport Ministry to revamp the PTSC’s maintenance programme, which is surely deficient. PTSC chairman Ethelbert Paul also issued an appeal to the public to stop vandalising the buses — a pathetic statement, inasmuch as the persons who deface and damage the buses are hardly going to be moved by the argument that they are damaging their own tax-funded property. No, what the PTSC has to do is put plain clothes security personnel on its buses for a few months, who will arrest and charge vandals. And that exercise must continue randomly, after the first few arrests. This is a move which will surely find favour with the majority of law-abiding commuters and save the PTSC at least half a million dollars annually. The Corporation must also consider not renting its buses for excursions, for this is where a lot of the vandalism occurs. But if it decides to continue this practice, then the contract under which the vehicle is rented must ensure that somebody is liable for any damage incurred during the excursion. All this can only be part of an overall plan to improve the transport situation in the country. On the same day that the PTSC unveiled its new buses, new Works Minister Colm Imbert announced that work on the highway interchange project at the Churchill Roosevelt and Uriah Butler highways will start before December. However, commuters will be more interested in when the interchange will be finished. Mr Imbert also announced plans to add lanes to the highways but, given the rapidity with which new cars are coming on the road, this can only be a temporary solution. The government must also consider more innovative measures, such as mandating that anyone who buys a new or foreign-used car must also purchase an old car, which the authorities will take off the roads. Only by such a multi-pronged approach will we get control of the traffic situation in the country.
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"Confronting the traffic monster"