The Ministry of Transport is to introduce legislation mandating the use of tracking devices in public service vehicles as part of a broader initiative to reform the industry, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Works Santia Bradshaw announced on Wednesday evening.
She made the disclosure in response to concerns raised at the Parish Speaks town hall meeting at Christ Church Foundation. After residents complained about disorderly conduct by PSV operators, Bradshaw revealed that a new bill to go before lawmakers this month specifically addresses the requirement for PSVs to be fitted with tracking devices.
During workshops with stakeholders, it was discovered that insurance companies already require PSV owners to install trackers in their vehicles. But the government now seeks to standardise and regularise this practice, the minister told the meeting.
“What we are seeking now to do is by way of the separate regulation to ensure that we set the standard for what a mandatory tracking device must be in a vehicle, what it must look like, “Bradshaw explained, adding that the government would have access to the tracking data when necessary to monitor PSV operators and address public complaints.
“That we have access to the information when we get complaints from the general public about specific offences, that we are clear that we are not trying to peep behind nobody to see where they are going off duty, but we have a responsibility to the public that if we give you a licence, to make sure that we are fully [aware] of where you go.
At every Parish Speaks we have heard people saying vehicles are going off route or they have not completed their route.”
Last month, the government announced plans to introduce new regulations aimed at improving road safety, curbing reckless driving, and enhancing professionalism in the PSV industry through mandatory training.
Those regulations are scheduled to come into force this month.
Bradshaw also confirmed that new provisions would be introduced to address issues related to loud and vulgar music in PSVs. (SZB)
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