The Ministry of Transport continues to provide assistance to bus operators to help them improve compliance with Covid-19 protocols and to cope with the economic impact of the pandemic.
Through the Ministry’s programme of support, bus operators are provided with sanitisation fluid and masks to augment their personal supply. The Ministry has distributed 600 litres of sanitisation fluid in a 3-week period, in addition to masks through its partnership with the diaspora and business communities.
Government has consistently underscored the need for collaboration and partnership to successfully fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Government therefore extends sincere gratitude to all private sector and diaspora partners who have made valuable contributions to the public transport sector at this crucial time. These include George F Huggins & Co. (G’da) Ltd., Clarke’s Court Rum and Grenadians in Canada and New York, through the Desk of Diaspora Affairs.
The Ministry is engaging the Grenada Ports Authority to afford bus operators the benefit of a waiver of bus terminal fees. This benefit amounts to approximately $20,000 weekly, resulting in a corresponding loss of revenue for the Grenada Ports Authority which is still required to maintain the terminal and meet the salary of staff.
It is estimated that since the start of the pandemic, the Grenada Ports Authority, through its partnership with the Ministry of Transport, has granted a waiver of terminal fees amounting to nearly $1 million, even while it faces its own revenue challenges.
Bus operators are also benefitting from bonus fuel provided by Sol EC Ltd, through an initiative that began on 16 September, and ends on 1 October. All Sol service stations will provide 10% additional fuel, which means that for every $50 worth of fuel purchased, bus operators will receive an additional $5 in free fuel for the 2-week period.
The Ministry of Transport is also engaged in discussion with RUBiS with regard to support for the sector.
Additionally, Government has started re-engaging auto parts dealers to determine their willingness to provide discounts on auto parts to bus operators. Positive responses have already been provided by three businesses.
Minister for Transport Senator the Honourable Norland Cox, has commended the ministry’s partners for their collaboration in helping to facilitate the continued and safe operation of the public transportation sector.
He said, “Covid-19 has not only affected Government’s revenue stream but also that of businesses and households. Businesses, like Government, are now required to do more with less to fight the pandemic and protect lives and livelihoods. This requires a daily balancing act and despite this challenge, they continue to provide valuable support and to work in partnership with Government. Government, therefore, recognises the sterling contribution of donors and industry stakeholders in keeping the public transport sector running at this crucial time. We encourage the travelling public to adhere to the health and safety guidelines of the Ministry of Health when commuting.”
GIS
NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.
And why is Government NOT providing ANY support th the small businesses that they have closed and are obviously discriminating against while allowing large businesses to stay open. Utter rubbish!!!
Quit being so mean hearted. Even those who try to make a living on the side of the road deserve covid support as they DO SO PAY TAXES same as you and me every time we shop we pay VAT. They deserve assistance during covid. ALL are equal. ALL need to eat, pay bills and survive. So find some Christian charity that you all blah blah, blah about whenever it suits your own selves and support every single person on Grenada TO STAY ALIVE!
I am guessing that only operators that are vaxxinated or willing to get the jab are eligible?
All hail the bus owners and drivers.
Your service to this country is worth its price in gold.
Keep up the good works!!
Be more unified. One for All-All for One.
First and foremost ,none of the buses on the road are government owned except for the ones owned by police officers which does not count
So tell me why are some bus owners trying to bleed the system when on average a bus can make $600 to $1000 or more per week depending on route and trips made.
Now when things are good the above is achivable ,so now that things are hard how come the selected few didn’t put some of the profit away for such matters.
There are lots of other businesses out there who are worse off but their problems are with the NIS as they did not pay any or refrain from doing so through choice.
The people who sells chicken and chips on some selected road side also avoid paying such taxes and are now struggling but they won’t go running to the government for assistance
This is one way for the government to identify some of those non tax payers and reel.them back into the system for the future.