Article by Social Share
Public service vehicle (PSV) operators say it is only fair that they too get financial assistance during the two-week national pause starting on Wednesday.
This is the appeal the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) is making to Government in the wake of other workers in different sectors being offered aid.
Communications and marketing officer Mark A. Haynes said PSV workers would be put at a disadvantage and should be liable to receive some money.
“COVID-19 has bitten us bitterly in terms of our finances and when we return to 60 per cent capacity, it would further put a dent in the sector and we have to brace ourselves for that,” he said during a press conference held at Bank Hall Plaza, St Michael, on Saturday.
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Some routes serviced by Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) will be affected by the current 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and members of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) will be meeting via Zoom at 6 p.m. today to discuss the next steps.
The Transport Board also announced its last service from Bridgetown would depart at 8 p.m.
On Friday, Prime Minister Mia Mottley increased the length of the curfew by three hours, starting January 2 for the next seven days. During that time, there are to be no banquets, fetes or limes.
AOPT chairman Roy Raphael said their operators, who span the PSV, taxi and minibus sectors, as well as car hire, share the same concerns as the general public.