State, availability of buses checked

WITH schools officially reopening today after the Christmas break, Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashley anticipates that all things being equal, approximately 130 buses would be ready for the back to school commute.

 

He made the comments to the media yesterday before heading to the Mangrove depot to check on work being carried out on the buses and bus availability. He said he would also be visiting UCAL and Transtech all of whom he said would have worked hard over the weekend to be ready to service the schools.

“There are a lot of buses with engine repairs, parts so they have been working on that to get them in quickly and get the mechanics on them into the night.”

 

As it relates to public service vehicles supplementing the numbers, he said the private sector has been approached, but the Union is also being consulted on the matter.

 

“So we are meeting with them on Wednesday at 2. 30pm to brief them on it and to see what concerns they have because they represent the Transport Board drivers, although it is my firm belief that the utilisation of PSVs in the terminal, that such a thing does not touch and concern the terms and conditions of the public sector workers but I believe as a matter of decency we should consult with the Union,” he said. (JH)