• Latest
A Myriad of Complaints Follows the Opening of Grenville Bus Terminal

Buses resume operation today despite unresolved negotiations with government

7 months ago
Vacancy: Office Manager and Personal Assistant

Mandatory pre-departure Covid test grace period

18 hours ago
Belizean poultry products now available in Grenada under Caricom rules

Belizean poultry products now available in Grenada under Caricom rules

18 hours ago
Costing of Health Services To Be Launched

Service contract signed to maintain new lab equipment

22 hours ago
Grenadians urged to be aware of social media scams

Grenadians urged to be aware of social media scams

22 hours ago
In loving memory of Kamau McBarnette

In loving memory of Kamau McBarnette

1 day ago
York House 2021

York House 2021

1 day ago
Vincentian charged for drug possession

High time Grenada starts marijuana legalisation consultation amidst Covid-19 spread

3 days ago
Brooklyn Transition Lions Club raises thousands for young cancer patient in Grenada

Brooklyn Transition Lions Club raises thousands for young cancer patient in Grenada

3 days ago
Vacancy: Office Manager and Personal Assistant

Mandatory pre-departure Covid test required for arrivals into England

3 days ago

Statement on deferral of 4% salary increase for public officers for 2021

3 days ago
Career Opportunity: Operations Supervisor

Career Opportunity: Operations Supervisor

3 days ago
Nightly curfew remains in place but will begin at 10 pm

Nightly curfew remains in place but will begin at 10 pm

4 days ago
NOW Grenada

Main Header Ad 468x60

booked.net
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
NOW Grenada
No Result
View All Result

Article Header

Buses resume operation today despite unresolved negotiations with government

This story was posted 7 months ago
8 June 2020
in Business
4 min. read
Grenville Bus Terminus 2017
Share

by Curlan Campbell

  • National Bus Association prepared to continue negotiations with government in good faith
  • Association considers public very important in this negotiation
  • Financial situation faced by bus operators remains a challenge

The National Bus Association (NBA) maintains that they are not in contention with government and is prepared to continue negotiations in good faith despite being criticised by the Permanent Secretary with responsibility for Transport, over their press conference on Monday.

Permanent Secretary, Anna Brizan, during a press conference held last Wednesday said the ministry was “taken aback by pronouncements by the National Bus Association” an act that was considered to be in breach of ongoing negotiations with the Ministry of Transport over the increase of bus fare by 50 cents.

Brizan said as a result, there is now a pause on the process of engagement to allow each side to introspect and prepare for further engagement. She also made the call for the National Bus Association to have their membership resume operations as a precursor to continuing dialogue. “Government wishes to have public transportation to function in a reliable and dependable manner and therefore we appeal to the National Bus Association to have a dependable transportation system throughout Grenada and across all zones before it can continue engagement in a responsible and structured manner.”

The bus association’s president, Garth Woodroffe said, “After deep reflection and in an attempt to meet the needs of the general public all buses has were instructed to resume their operations in good faith as requested by the government in hope of resuming negotiations that were paused.” He also noted that there were glaring irregularities in the statement released by the minister of transportation last week and the press conference by the Permanent Secretary in the in Ministry of Transportation.

Woodroffe said the association felt it necessary at the time to engage the public on matters that will ultimately affect them and is disappointed that this has led to a pause on their negotiation with the government. “Our press conference last Monday was not a breach of protocol. The National Bus Association is a private institution and there is nothing that prevents the association from holding press conferences. In fact, I advised and did state in the meetings that I was going to reach out to the public to get their opinion on the matter because the National Bus Association considers the public very important in this negotiation and their voices were not being heard.”

Woodroffe said the association is also aware that government officials have been meeting with members of the association unknown to the association’s leadership, to attempt to convince them to resume normal operations. “Isn’t that a break in the protocol by trying to weaken the other side with heads of government going and hosting meetings with bus association members to try to sweet talk them to go on the road…while the bus association was in negotiations.”

The increase in bus fare was among recommendations proposed by the association to help alleviate the cost of operations since they are now required to carry fewer passengers in accordance with the Covid-19 regulation.

Woodroffe said prior to government’s public call for the resumption of public transportation, the association saw it fitting to have some of their buses resume operations. An action, he said, regrettably will see these buses incurring losses. “This will be a serious loss for the busmen in terms of the viability of their operations but we consider it a contribution to the state of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, moving forward we still hope to return to the table for negotiations.”

The bus association continues to maintain that as operators of privately owned buses, the hands of the association should not be tied when it comes to determining an increase in bus fare as afforded to other privately owned businesses. “Buses are privately owned so why is it that the bus industry is the only industry that is regulated by the government because taxi drivers charge what they see fit, hoteliers charge what they see fit based on what the market demands. Supermarkets and other businesses charge what they see fit based on their expenses, so why can’t busmen do it? We must have to watch our industry die in front of us with no assistance from the government?”

Woodroffe stated that the financial situation faced by bus operators remains a challenge and is hopeful that both parties can reach an amicable solution. “We had asked for gas rebates. At last Wednesday’s meeting, we spoke about terminal fees. We know that moratorium is running out and we are not sure what is going to happen there so we are currently seeking other alternatives to create benefits for the association with private stakeholders and we hope to get favourable responses.”

A government press release on 5 June 2020, indicated that it is considered unfair for “bus drivers to remain at home and still collect $800 from the same taxpayers whom they refuse to serve.” The monthly payment of $800 is part of government’s stimulus package to help bus drivers cushion the financial impact of the pandemic. In response, the association clarified that the $800 received from the government must be shared between bus owners, drivers and conductor, and can only be collected by the owner.

The release also addressed the request by the association for fuel rebates, calling such a proposal as being “inconceivable” since governments revenues have drastically reduced by 50% due to the pandemic.

NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.

Tags: anna brizanbuscoronaviruscovid-19curlan campbellgarth woodroffeministry of transportnational bus associationstimulus package
Next Post
We all have a duty to protect our oceans

We all have a duty to protect our oceans

Comments 4

  1. Shaff says:
    7 months ago

    Here we go again,,Who are we talking about here people please, please I’m begging please ,This is Robert Mugabe plus worst Caribbean Leader ever. Lets start with lies, corruption,,devecieveness EVIL power hungry . All those millions upon millions given to Grenada by the, IMF,,the World bank, the pCaribbean Development Bank, the European union, and many more other world Organizations to give yes give to the Grenadian people But this government is holding onto the money for political purposes yes political purposes Shameful,,He is truly Robert Mugabe

    Reply
  2. T. Richards says:
    7 months ago

    This is the price we pay for allowing a “bully” and his administration to lead this country. The administration has control of all aspects of the lives of Grenadians whether it be social economical or religious and its appalling to see us as a people sit on our behinds and take it like sheep. But look instead we go to demonstrate infront of the US EMBASSY. Yet we show. NO solidarity publicly for our own against this tyranny. God help us

    Reply
  3. Gillian Baptiste says:
    7 months ago

    This government is bent on bullying citizens who dare to have a differing point of view, until they bow to their wishes. They should realise that ths is the 21st century and people are no longer slaves answering., “yes massa, no massa.” Any how, the longest rope has an end.

    Reply
  4. RSmith says:
    7 months ago

    Lies ,revenue reduce by 50% ,so what happen to all the aids,loans,Grant’s ,donation to help the country, in a matter of a few months the country crying brokes, lmao, best illution of the century, after 6+ years of growth

    Reply

Comment on story Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Home Sidebar NP 300x250

© NOW Grenada. All Rights Reserved. Published by Aqua Design Inc. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

© NOW Grenada. All Rights Reserved
Published by Aqua Design Inc.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

NOW Grenada
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.