PSV Operators Express Frustration Over Mandatory Certification Training; Commuters Divided on New Directive | Article

Some Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators are upset they have to complete mandatory certification training to stay on the road, lamenting that they were being forced to pay for the “bad apples” among them.

They said they had already undergone such training and if anything, it should be the ones now getting behind the wheel or new to conducting who should have to run that route.

However, some commuters are on board with the new directive outlined on Monday by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Works Santia Bradshaw, who said the training sessions will start from October 1.

A number of PSV operators in the Constitution River Terminal in Bridgetown recently told a Nation team that the training was nothing new and wondered why they had to do it all over again.

“I did that training already. That would be good for the ones who just jump in but not for us. The driver in that video want sending home because he making we look bad, but I would object to doing that training again,” driver Winston Franklin said.

He was referring to the recent viral video depicting a PSV operator driving dangerously along Lower Collymore Rock, St Michael, by crossing over into the oncoming traffic lane to get ahead of another PSV. That driver has been suspended pending review.

“Mandy”, a conductress, said she too did a course at the Barbados Community College (BCC) and was certified.

“I feel that is more for the youngsters trying to get into the business. The old heads already know how to behave so I’m not sure if I would want to do it again. Look, the whole transport sector need cleaning up, not only us; there’s too much ‘unfairness’ going on,” she complained.

This commuter, who gave his name as “Smith”, said while training was a good thing in theory, he was unsure if PSV operators were going to take it to heart.

Driver Emmerson Marshall said training was for the youth.

“We old boys don’t want more training, we already got good habits. It’s just the young ones they give licences to at age 19 and 20 that cause problems. We need responsible people on PSVs. There’s nothing wrong with going to school but I’ve already been. Leave that for the younger ones,” he declared.

Marshall challenged the authorities to come out their offices and ride on a PSV to get a first-hand account of what was going on.

On Monday, Bradshaw pointed out that the training sessions, formulated by the Transport Authority and the BCC, were conceptualised to promote safe driving practices.