‘School taxi’ operators welcome new academic year

Several operators of public passenger vehicles (PPVs) who transport students to and from school said the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted their lives for the past two years have been very challenging.

"For sustainability, the changes have been many. Some members sold their vehicles, others tried to do rentals, while some changed the usage. As the online platform took over the classroom, the school transportation system felt the pinch," said Aaron Mattis, head of the Spanish Town Taxi Association. He said that the school system is a specialised area for some of the association's members.

"I know of members who had their vehicles repossessed as no school means no income, therefore no money to the banks, "Mattis continued.

One school bus operator, Carlington Morrison, who said he retrofitted his 2020 Toyota Hiace, which was purchased to transport students. The 20-year veteran said he tried transporting goods instead, but faced insurmountable challenges. He said that he had to play hide and seek with the traffic authorities, as he couldn't afford to get the commercial licensing done.

"I was so frustrated that mi sell the older one [vehicle] to buy the 2020 model. When the money pressure reach me, plus the insecurity of the school system, mi affi sell it (2020) too," Morrison said.

It was the consensus that the reopening of school has reignited the interests of many operators, some of whom are still trying to get in the groove.

"We realised that fix-up means the addition of a proper sanitation system inside the vehicle," Marvin Jenkins said. "While the authorities help us to understand how to guard against COVID-19, we don't like to hear bout di monkeypox, but it is here."

Jenkins' view was echoed by a number of his colleagues who added that there is a need for greater education of the public.

Up to last Thursday, the Ministry of Health and Wellness said that there are seven cases of the monkeypox on the island.

Meanwhile the police said that vehicles which transport anyone for cash, must be licensed as PPVs in accordance with the Road Traffic Act.