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Public Transport

It is very clear, at least to me, that our government and opposition are beholden to 'special interest' groups, businesses and developers for money, others like the Taxi and Bus drivers, for votes. This explains why we have a public transport system that sucks. What is needed is a comprehensive policy and action plan for the future, what we get is Louie, the man of action, pussyfooting around and failing to make any difference whatsoever.

Bus drivers do what they want, when they want, and their licenses and permits are no longer their own, but most often rented or leased from someone else who never drives one. Our Taxi drivers have no interest in serving the local market and the local market has no interest in paying their high 'tourist' prices. The Today Editorial from Saturday is spot on.

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For buses, the govt should create a private/public partnership company where the employees, current bus drivers, hold a stake. A fleet of buses should be standardized in size, preferably 24-26 seaters, and be hybrid or run on used cooking oil. Routes should also be standardized and set with timetables (as much as is possible on our clogged roads). Yes, this company would get govt subsidies, but a working public transport service is as vital to an increasingly crowded community as the utilities are, the overall economy would benefit.

Make it sweet for the bus drivers, a steady well paid job in which they can have pride, with regular but flexible hours, no fees or expenses of owning their own bus, a yearly profit sharing scheme and health and pension benefits. Give them a role too in an open and transparent management. Put bus fees up 25c, but make weekly, monthly and OAP passes available which would work out cheaper for the public.

There is more and my ideas need some fine tuning and discussion, but you get the idea. The benefits to our community would be great, although I am not a big user of buses myself, thousands of people do everyday and it would free our roads from multiple minibuses zipping in and out fighting for passengers and stopping when and wherever they please.

As for the Taxis, the solution is much more simple. Either require them to accept meters or permit mini cabs with them. Meters cost a few hundred dollars, govt could set up a course for our current Gypsy drivers for safety and knowledge of the island, and also assist them in finding package deals for insurance and financing for cars (several models, inspected regularly).

As the Today say's, Gypsy cars exist because there is a demand for them, they will only go away when that demand is addressed.

Dr. Voodoo

P.S. Feel free to discuss the Hook story too :)

((I'll try to find any news clippings I can find on the Hook story and add them in the next day or so, whatever is posted already can be found in the Roads and Traffic thread. - LH)

Related News and Articles

Daily Herald Editorial - The right thing - 28th July 2008

Task Force take over Taxi Association - 25th July 2008

More accusations at Taxi Association - 24th July 2008

Old Guard Taxi drivers to step in - 22nd July 2008

General Secretary resigns from Taxi Association - 21st July 2008

Report filed at Fraud Dept on Taxi funds - 19th July 2008

Taxi Association Secretary explains about missing funds - 18th July 2008

Taxi drivers want board to resign - 18th July 2008

Taxi Association secretary denies responsibility for missing funds - 17th July 2008

Hook willing to call elections but accounts not available - 12th July 2008

Information blackout on taxi association election - 11th July 2008