Bus operators in Grenada feel pressured by the Keith Mitchell-led government to continue to provide a service to the public at great financial losses to them.
A leading bus operator called THE NEW TODAY to complain about the significant drop in earnings and at the same time huge increases in their expenses.
“It’s been difficult for the guys on the road. No money ain’t making,” he said.
According to the bus owner, the bus that he owned made only $80.00 in a single day this week to be divided between himself, the bus driver and conductor.
“It’s difficult for a lot of them guys,” he said.
THE NEW TODAY understands that the average price made on the road by a busman is $400.00 daily before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bus owner made a plea for the Mitchell government to return to the negotiating table to resolve some of the urgent and most pressing problems affecting the industry including a small fare increase.
He said: “I’m hoping that things (negotiations) start back soon. I am hoping so let’s see what this week (coming) holds. We have been waiting patiently”.
The busman told THE NEW TODAY that representatives of the National Bus Association (NBA) have been in direct contact with government on a number of occasions this week but that “no official negotiations have started back”.
He said that the government side requested that the association put back more buses on the street and as far as he knew that request was complied with.
“They got everything they asked for,” he remarked.
Bus operators were forced to pull their vehicles off the road as government imposed a State of Emergency and lockdown of the country to fight the worldwide spread of the coronavirus.
The Mitchell government announced at a press briefing last week that it had put the negotiations with bus operators on “pause” after the NBA held a press conference to bring the issues on the table into the public domain while discussions were taking place.
The administration on Friday announced that it was prepared to resume the “engagement with Bus Operators under what it referred to as a “structured approach”.
However, the government warned the busmen that there will be no consideration at this stage on the demands being made for a small $0.50 increase in bus fares.
The government release said: – “Government acknowledges bus operators’ positive response to the call for a conducive environment so that the suspension to dialogue can be removed. As such, Government intends to resume its engagement with bus operators under a structured approach.
Further, Government has given consideration to the following areas of operational changes and support to bus operators.
From Tuesday, June 16, 2020 the following operational changes will take effect:
(1). Increased maximum carrying capacity from 12 to 14 occupants at any one time on mini buses. Coasters are allowed three persons per row and one person in line with the driver.
(2). The retention of a conductor will not be mandatory on certain conditions being satisfied. Bus operators may use a conductor or an alternative method which is to be approved by a joint team of the RGPF and the Ministry of Health. The RGPF will provide further information on this process.
(3). To protect the health and safety of everyone Bus Operators are required to ensure hand sanitisation of every passenger entering their buses. While the Government recognises that sanitisation is the responsibility of the bus operators, the Division of Transport will continue bearing the cost which could reach $50,000.00 per month for a four-month period, June to September 2020.
Additionally, consideration is being given to some form of relief on bus terminal fees for the period July to September. Already bus operators have had fees waived for the month of June.
Government will review all measures of support in August. Government reminds that there is no change to the bus fare. Further, bus operators engaging in ‘price gouging’ should refrain from doing so as this is against the law.
There will be enhanced monitoring of buses within bus terminals and en route, to ensure compliance with all requirements of operations. Non-compliance with established regulations and/ or protocols will result in fines in cases of ticketed offences and/or ineligibility to operate unless violation is remedied.
Additional details on the above operational requirements will be communicated to the bus operators and general public.
THE NEW TODAY was also told by the bus owner that the busmen have doubts with an announcement made by government that $360, 000.00 have been paid out to busmen under a stimulus payment plan for bus drivers and bus conductors to help cushion losses to the transport sector due to the virus.
He said it is not true that the payments have reached all the busmen operating on the nation’s roads.
He charged that the government is “trying to run a lot of propaganda in that area” to make it look like busmen have gotten a significant sum of money under the stimulus package.
The bus owner said that some bus drivers and conductors have received monies but the vast majority of them remain empty-handed.
Prime Minister Mitchell had announced in Parliament about two months ago that under the stimulus package, $800.00 will be given each month for the next three months to bus drivers and their conductors but not the owner of the vehicle who will benefit from a rescheduling of their bank loan from the financial institution.
The busman said that the bus operators are now looking closely at a statement made by a government official last week which seems to indicate that there has been a change in the policy.
According to the bus owner, he is getting the impression that once the owner of the bus in working then his driver and conductor will not qualify to get payments from the stimulus package funds.
“Being the owner, I was working … my driver and conductor was home so I get a job. They are trying to say now that because I have a job I am not going to get the $800.00 to give to my driver and conductor which I think is unfair. They did not even call to say – are you working or do you have work … no calls … they just doing things.”