EDITORIAL

Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) have long been held under scrutiny by the Barbadian public. Not all operators are guilty of breaking the road traffic laws, but the incidences of unlawful behaviour that have occurred over the years with regard to PSVs are well documented and have touched every aspect of society. 

 

Many road users have borne witness to lawless acts which took place on board some of these vehicles with little or no attempt to prevent them from happening on the operators’ part. Sadly, it is encouraged because these operators in question focus mainly on the bottom line. Setting aside for a moment the regulation which restricts the playing of music on these vehicles, it is acknowledged that a major bone of contention which surfaces frequently, is the type of music played on few of these vehicles and how it affects the school children who travel on them.

 

The obscenities that are constantly blaring at a level that can be heard several cars away are regularly digested and repeated by those young persons who travel regularly on these PSVs. Then, at the most inopportune times, the unsuspecting public is assaulted with the language and the accompanying behaviour of these students who believe that it is fashionable to act in this manner. Indeed, several school principals have commented before on the visible effects this music has on some students, who then find it impossible to concentrate during classes. However, the language used in the music is not the only problem; the violence which some of the music encourages, especially towards those who do not fit in with what society accepts as ‘normal’ is also digested and this in part gives rise to discrimination and bigotry.

 

The increasing bad behaviour that some children exhibited on these vehicles and the bad influences that they were exposed to daily, some would argue that this behaviour is now so ingrained that it has been transferred to the Transport Board buses as well. Other members of the travelling public were also affected as the deterioration of public morals persisted.

 

The popularity of these PSVs is not in question. However, what will be the final effect on the fabric of society if the offending operators are allowed to continue flouting the laws of Barbados without minor consequence? The laws must be enforced so that the operators, as well as other members of society can learn and respect what has made this country a force to be reckoned with. 

 

Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashley, in October this year, said to private sector owners and operators of public service vehicles (PSVs), that he was willing to work with them, but he was not ‘willing to entertain nonsense’.

 

However, people of various scholarly backgrounds have attempted to make the case that the ZR culture is not the main cause of the worsened state of affairs in our children. This might be true, as undoubtedly, there are other factors which contributed to this shift in culture, but there definitely is cause for concern about the PSVs.

 

Obviously this problem cannot be solved overnight, because it has been allowed to escalate for a number of years, and it would be interesting to hear from the authorities the challenges they face in curbing the frequent infractions of the PSV drivers and conductors. With the right action taken and commitment, Barbados can eliminate this negative trend which threatens the development of our young citizens.