Government Implements Sweeping Reforms to Enhance Safety and Professionalism in PSV Sector

Bradshaw said the mandatory training and certification is crucial to professionalising the sector. The training will cover essential topics such as road safety, customer service, and traffic laws.

“This isn’t just about putting drivers behind the wheel; it’s about ensuring that those operating public service vehicles are trained, certified, and aware of the immense responsibility they carry. We’re talking about the lives of our citizens, and that’s a responsibility no one should take lightly,” the minister said.

The programme will also open pathways for young people interested in joining the industry, with introductory courses available to those as young as 16. This is part of the government’s strategy to build a pipeline of future PSV operators who will be trained and prepared to meet the sector’s standards by the time they reach the legal driving age of 25.

The reforms extend beyond drivers and conductors to place a legal responsibility on PSV owners to ensure that their employees are properly certified.

This measure aims to address a gap in the current system, where owners often escape reprimand for the actions of their employees.

“Owners are now legally responsible for ensuring that their drivers and conductors are certified. This legislation holds everyone accountable—owners, drivers, and conductors. It’s about building a system that prioritises safety above all else,” Bradshaw added. Director of the Transport Authority Ruth Holder affirmed the regulator’s commitment to enforcing the new standards. “This is not just a driver’s issue—it’s an owner’s issue as well. Owners must see this as an opportunity to protect their investments by ensuring that their vehicles are operated by individuals who have met the required standards. The public deserves a reliable, safe transport system, and this training programme is the foundation for that.”

In immediate reaction, PSV industry figures welcomed the government’s reform plan. Roy Raphael, chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), praised the regulations: “For over 30 years, we’ve struggled with the same problems, but these new regulations are a step in the right direction.”

Raphael also highlighted the AOPT’s own initiatives, such as the Safe Bus Programme, which discourages loud music and reckless behaviour.

Cecil Forde, vice chairman of the Association of Public Transport Owners (APTO), called the mandatory training “a long-overdue reform” that would provide PSV operators with the necessary tools to offer a safer, more reliable service. “Owners, too, must play their part in ensuring their employees are certified and equipped with the necessary skills,” he added.

Senior Superintendent David Welch of the Barbados Police Service also expressed support, noting that the regulations would help regulate the industry and improve road safety.

“We are committed to working closely with the PSV sector to ensure safer roads for everyone,” he said.

Looking ahead, Deputy Prime Minister Bradshaw insisted that the regulations are part of a broader effort to build a public transport system that the public can trust.

“This is not just a reform for today; it is about building a public transport system that can be trusted for years to come…. It’s about ensuring that the journey is safe, professional, and respectful for everyone involved,” she said.

(RG)