• Latest
Bus Operators More Than EC$300,000 In Arrears

Transport ministry calls on bus drivers to resume service

2 years ago
Harbour Master statement on the incident involving Anderson Peters

Harbour Master statement on the incident involving Anderson Peters

16 hours ago
Kirani, Anderson and Victor shine at World Champs 2022

Significant number of people involved in investigation

16 hours ago
No Holiday for Carriacou Carnival

Statement on altercation involving Anderson Peters and others

17 hours ago
Tropical Weather Outlook: Thursday, 11 August 2022 (2 pm)

Tropical Weather Outlook: Thursday, 11 August 2022 (2 pm)

20 hours ago
SDTB: Altercation involving Track Blazer member

SDTB: Altercation involving Track Blazer member

20 hours ago
New National Party 2020 Christmas Message

NNP statement: Anderson Peters

21 hours ago
World javelin champ thrown overboard from Harbour Master in Grenada

World javelin champ thrown overboard from Harbour Master in Grenada

21 hours ago
Claims of coronavirus at SGU designed to create fear and panic

Covid-19 update: Grenada Dashboard 10 August 2022

21 hours ago
Ministry of Youth Development congratulates Anderson Peters

Party boat crew members detained following assault of sportsman Anderson Peters

22 hours ago

Support extended for Comprehensive Disaster Management Project in Caribbean

1 day ago
20-man squad for CFU U14 Boys Challenge Series

20-man squad for CFU U14 Boys Challenge Series

1 day ago
Sandals Grenada: Now Hiring

Sandals Grenada: Multiple positions available

1 day ago
NOW Grenada
  • 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

Transport ministry calls on bus drivers to resume service

This story was posted 2 years ago
5 June 2020
in Business, Health, PRESS RELEASE
3 min. read
St George’s Bus Terminus 2015
Share

The Ministry of Transport is encouraging all of the nation’s bus drivers to resume service to the public.

This is one of the precursors to continuing dialogue on the various requests made by the bus drivers. The ministry firmly believes that resolution will come through ongoing discussion rather than any attempt to hold Government to ransom.

The Ministry of Transport has confirmed that while an increase in bus fares may be necessary on a particular route or routes, this has to be confirmed plus the timing of this request is not good, as so many individuals have either been without income or have seen a significant decline in their income since March.

Another request – the proposal for a fuel rebate – is inconceivable as government’s revenue has already been significantly reduced by 50% due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Granting this request in the face of existing demands could only lead to disastrous financial consequences.

Minister for Transport, Honourable Gregory Bowen, said government is committed to the reopening of the sector and considering the needs of all stakeholders, especially in the current environment. He said, “The operation of the public transport sector is critical to fully restarting economic and other activities in the country, as workers in the various sectors, who are without private vehicles, need to have a reliable and affordable option for commuting. Students are also on the verge of returning to the classroom and they too, will need transportation. I am calling on bus drivers across the country to show a little empathy for their brothers and sisters. This pandemic has been hard on us all, but we have to work together to rebuild our economy and resume regular activities on a wider scale to stimulate even more economic activity.”

As part of the stimulus package announced by the government in March, bus operators can qualify for a monthly payment of $800 to help cushion the impact of the pandemic. However, it is not fair for bus drivers to remain at home and still collect $800 from the same taxpayers whom they refuse to serve.

One of the main factors influencing the National Bus Association’s refusal to resume service is disagreement over the exorbitant rates charged to transport healthcare workers during the lockdown. Prior to Covid-19, the rate per month for this service ranged between $2,000 and $4,000. During the last 3 months, an additional 36 bus drivers were contracted to transport the health sector workers, and some of the drivers with pre-existing contracts increased their rates to between $12,000 and $42,000 for the period 26 March to 17 May. Government has since approved more reasonable rates ranging between $3,000 and $3,500. The majority of the contracted bus drivers have accepted these rates, but there are some who continue to insist on their exorbitant rates.

In the interest of the resumption of service in the transportation sector and despite an original proposal for shared costs, government has been single-handedly bearing the cost of sanitising buses.

Minister Bowen said, “Public health and safety remain of paramount concern to us during this pandemic and we must take all necessary measures to ensure that all recommended protocols are followed. Government is prepared to work collaboratively with stakeholders across all sectors but it is important to have that reciprocal commitment.”

GIS

NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.
Tags: buscoronaviruscovid-19gregory bowennational bus associationtransport
Next Post
Taxi drivers engaged in preparation for reopening of borders

Taxi drivers engaged in preparation for reopening of borders

Comments 1

  1. D. Hart says:
    2 years ago

    This Government got enough financial support byo restart the Economy that they most certainly could give a fuel rebate for a short period of time. The monies provided by various agencies are for exactly bthese circumstances. Not for the government’s personal pockets.

    Reply

Comment on post Cancel reply

Please enter your valid email address.
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.

© 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

Copyright NOW Grenada

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.

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.