Grenadian pastor accuses PTSC of discrimination

Jones who claims that he was put off the bus on two occasions when he produced his ID, once when attempting to travel from Port-of-Spain to San Fernando, and last week Monday from San Fernando to Gasparillo, wants the Public Transport Service Commission (PTSC) to investigate their drivers.

Two of his aunts, Selena Bowen, 66 and May Bowen, 73, pensioners and recipients of National Insurance benefits, have also suffered the same fate, recalled Jones, who has resident status in Trinidad and Tobago. Just like the Bowen sisters, Jones said he too enjoys a pension at the end of the month, and together they take part in the voting process.

“It is a clear case of discrimination,” the grandfather of seven told Newsday. “I speak as a Grenadian who came here, and just like my great grandfather who cut cane here, my mother and aunts who did the type of work no one else wanted to do, we and many more Grenadians like me helped to build this Trinidad, and it is not fair to us. PTSC is telling me and my two aunts that we cannot travel on the bus without paying, because we are Commonwealth citizens.”

He remains baffled with what he described as the sudden change in policy as in the past, he enjoyed the free bus ride.

According to Jones, two months ago he was travelling from Port-of-Spain when he produced his ID, and was first told by the bus driver that he would not be able to travel because of his Commonwealth status.

He added, “I questioned the driver and he told me they got a memo from their bosses that Commonwealth citizens cannot ride for free, and must pay. I was telling my aunts, and they told me it happened to them also.”

Jones said his aunts were denied recently while travelling from Palo Seco.

Newsday contacted PTSC’s Deputy General Manger, Carl Ramdeo, who said he was unaware of any memo of that nature being issued to their drivers, and promised to have the matter investigated.

“We have not issued such memos and I will have to investigate that, Ramdeo said. “That shouldn’t be at all. It’s not right, he should be allowed to ride the bus.”