Head of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) Roy Raphael has welcomed Government’s Budget measures in relation to energy, describing them as a timely cushion for operators grappling with rising global oil prices.
Speaking after the 2026 Budgetary Proposals and Financial Statement were delivered on Monday, Raphael said the interventions come at a critical time for the public service vehicle (PSV) sector, which remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels and increasingly exposed to global shocks stemming from conflict in the Middle East.
Camera systems
Raphael said the short-term cushioning measures would provide some relief, but warned that the sector remains highly vulnerable if prices continue to climb.
He also highlighted a specific Budget measure that he believes could bring immediate benefits to the sector – the removal of duty and VAT on dashcams and other camera systems.
“I think it is very welcoming for the PSV industry,” he said, urging operators to take advantage of the limited concession period.
Raphael said the introduction of cameras could help address long-standing issues related to disputes and insurance claims.
“When the vehicle is in an accident, there is no way of knowing who was in the vehicle at the time,” Raphael said. “We have had cases where persons make claims, and the driver cannot recall whether that person was even on board.”
With dashcams and onboard cameras, operators would have access to verifiable evidence.
“This would allow us to confirm exactly who was on board and what took place. It will help reduce fraudulent claims and protect operators,” he added.
He noted that the measure could also improve transparency and public confidence in the PSV system.
“The public can also benefit, because when issues arise, the only way we can properly address them is if we have evidence,” he said. (CLM)
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