Chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport Roy Raphael has expressed frustration that public service vehicle (PSV) operators are yet to receive the $3 million promised in the last Budget for the purchase of clean energy vehicles.
The money, intended to be managed through Fund Access, was earmarked to assist in transitioning the sector towards sustainable transport solutions. However, Raphael laments that as the 2025 budgetary proposals approach, the PSV sector remains in limbo.
He told the Sunday Sun the sector was excited about the opportunity to modernise its fleet with electric and disabledfriendly buses. However, despite multiple engagements with Government officials, including Minister of Transport Santia Bradshaw and Special Envoy on Disabilities Edmund Hinkson, the money has not been provided.
“Government made $3 million available to the sector through Fund Access, which could have financed approximately 20 to 30 electric vehicles. We were all excited because we had made representations to transition our fleet into electric. Yet, up to today, we are still spinning top in mud.”
The AOPT chairman revealed that the PSV industry spends over $50 million annually on fossil fuels, with daily costs averaging $250 for a 14-seater vehicle and $600 for a 48-seater bus. He added that the rising cost of fuel and maintenance remain a burden for operators, making the transition to electric vehicles even more critical.
Disabled-friendly
Raphael said the delay in rolling out clean energy vehicles has also hampered efforts to make public transport more accessible for disabled passengers. “We have one bus in the entire PSV fleet that is disabled-friendly. With over 800 PSVs on the road, this is unacceptable. That’s why we engaged Mr Hinkson and the Disability Unit to ensure that the new electric buses would cater to persons with disabilities.”
He said multiple meetings have been held with Fund Access and other stakeholders, and suppliers in China were engaged to provide suitable buses.
He renewed calls for Government to grant duty-free concessions on vehicles and parts for the PSV sector, adding the industry has been lobbying for such for over two decades.
“We have asked Government to consider duty-free concessions, especially for electric vehicles. This would allow more of our buses to be placed on the road, increasing accessibility for disabled persons and senior citizens,” Raphael stated.
He said many PSV operators were committed to improving the industry’s reputation and moving towards cleaner, more efficient operations, but without policy support and timely implementation of Government promises, progress is stalled.
Financial support
“The Prime Minister [Mia Amor Mottley] has made it clear that she wants to see more private sector participation in clean energy and disabledfriendly transport solutions. But at the end of the day, it depends on how quickly the relevant departments move,” Raphael said.
“Almost 50 per cent of our vehicles are over five years old, creating challenges not only for owners but also for insurance providers. Some of our minibuses date back to the 1980s and without financial support to modernise the fleet, operators are struggling.”
(CLM)
The post PSVs still waiting on promised $3m appeared first on nationnews.com.