Transport Authority Attempts to Break the Law

In the last 24 hours the public of Barbados was apprised of the decision that several suspension letters issued to Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) by the Transport Authority had to be embarrassingly withdrawn. Although Chairman of the Transport Authority Ian Estwick is reported to be tight-lipped why the claw back was made, Chairman of the Association of Public Transport Operators (APTO) Kenneth Best – a former member of parliament – had no problem pointing to a violation of process by the Transport Authority supported in the Road Traffic and Transport Authority Act.

In a simple summarization of the matter –  we have a private transportation system the authority has been unable to efficiently regulate for more than 40 years. The recent attempt to impose itself on the sector the Transport Authority mashed the crease by also breaking the law and had to squash the suspension letters issued. How did the Transport Authority led by a seasoned retired banker with access to the best legal opinion commit such an egregious error?

You cannot make this stuff up.

For years a copious amount of commentary has been dumped in the Barbados space about the sub culture that has resulted from an inefficiently regulated PSV sector.   This blogmaster will not add EXCEPT to reassert the problem of the sector has its root in who are the beneficial owners of PSV permits. Does it makes sense asking former Ministers of Transport to elucidate on this matter? To be clear let us add the most recent incumbents – Johnny Tudor, George Payne, Gline Clarke , Michael Lashley et al.

It is widely known by the authorities that the practice of illegally leasing permits to others is an entrenched behaviour. With the stroke of a pen this could be dealt with by the remaining three insurance companies issuing insurance cover to PSVs by adding a clause to the policy agreement as follows:

All claims on the subject policy will be made null and void by the underwriter if evidence is found the vehicle is not operated or managed by the policyholder.

The time has come for good men and women to win back this island from the vice grip of a few greedy persons. We can be bertlike prioritizing the fixing of economic indicators, however, until we also improve the efficiency of transportation, water distribution, waste disposal, maintenance of roads, manning ports of entry to list a few, we are spinning top in mud.

Barbadians must become more active by intelligently speaking to issues every opportunity available.

55 thoughts on “Transport Authority Attempts to Break the Law


  1. Were we blessed in this island by professional news gatherers and, Heaven forbid, investigative reporters, we would know in short order which Minister contracted MAM who in turn called the Chairman instructing him to rescind the order. That’s how things are done around here.


  2. The worse govt ever. For xmas they need 30 giant size flip flops
    The Port is now considered deplorable
    People items are being damaged
    When all is said and done consumers would have to pay for the damages done to business owners products
    What a horrible mess
    A govt that promised better delivers bitter worst


  3. How does it arise that when one man speaks around here it gets “carte blanche” approval and endorsement and when another speaks it it labelled “unnecessarily critical?”

    Case in point

    The blog above says and I quote

    “…Barbadians must become more active by intelligently speaking to issues every opportunity available.”

    “Intelligently speaking…” whatever that construct means

    Yet, in one breath the Honourable Blogmaster writes that we must intelligently speak ou and in another AND HERE I CITE THE BLOBBER WILY E COYOTE, the Blogmaster says and I quote

    “…@Wily

    You are aware if you reject the numbers shared by the minister you have rubbished the work of the Accountant General?

    Even before you [Wily E Coyote] see numbers you have closed your mind…”

    Now which is it going to be?

    Which item of contrary opinion is going to be permitted and which one denied?


  4. Kenny Best had the nerve to deny knowing about the leasing of permits. He squandered the opportunity to send a message that he was a sincere actor in the PSV mess.


  5. Rent seeking: Rent seeking is an economic concept that occurs when an entity seeks to gain added wealth without any reciprocal contribution of productivity.

    Enormous amount of rentseeking in the transportation sector in Barbados. It is said that politicos, police, legal people and others want to draw hundreds of dollars a week, without even breaking out the tiniest of sweats.

    So this is what we get.

    Don’t go blaming the hard working conductors and drivers. They at least are doing real-real work.

    Blame those named above who want money with little effort.


  6. I am not surprised at all. I was told by someone( impeccable knowledge) after the appointment was first made, of the incompetence of the man and his association with the party. All that was said would happen,has happened.. One should always read the fine print (the “legalise” wording shouldn’t be a problem if one has a firm foundation of the language and get more than one opinion. A person with guts, would have rescinded and immediately issued a new suspension order giving the sixty-day notification. that is what I would have done in the situation..


  7. David isnt it funny that when dissent noises are made about this govt it rattles your cage
    Arent you the slightest embarrassed that the govt you helped to accumulate a 30-0 unprecedent win now finds itself in the most dammning places of an unprecedented first year of disapproval because of its policies
    Arent u a little bit embarassed


  8. David can you explain what is happening at the Port
    The new changes brought about by govt is ending in utter chaos with people and businneses saying that their products are lost or destroyed after weeks of laying dormant and awaiting for the release by authorities
    David can you explain all this chaos and inefficiency by this govt in a year


    • The matter at the Port has been discussed here many times. Unfortunately under the former government they never upgraded the software. According to the Comptroller of Customers most of the problems have been addressed, just s few remaining. The backlog is being cleared.


  9. David according to most people most of what this govt heads has said after may 24th 2018 has turned out to be untrue and their is plenty evidence even some of these mouthings coming from ministers in govt
    There are pictures circulating presently of people valuables destroyed and demands are asked of these people to pay the fees asked of govt policies in order to remove their valuables
    Nothing is being said by govt for compensation to the people for losses while they valuables were stored at the Port


  10. @ Mariposa

    You are flogging a dead horse. Every time you raise an issue about administrative or policymaking incompetence, you get a throw back about the last government. The debate does not move on. It is juvenile and silly.


  11. On another note of concern in reference to returning nationals
    Local media has a story which gives thought of many concerns which returning nationals feel about mistreatment after coming back to barbados

    Home / Local News / Returning nationals: Don’t scam us!

    Returning nationals: Don’t scam us!
    Article by
    Barbados TodayPublished on
    November 2, 2019
    Returning nationals hoping to retire in the land of their birth after years of living overseas are crying out over professionals and artisans alike trying to take advantage of them.

    President of the Northern Group of Returning Nationals, Reuben Rollock says the organisation, which comprises dozens of returnees has been forced to hear complaints about attorneys, contractors and others seeking to scam other returning nationals out of their hard-earned money.

    “From time to time there is a problem caused by those who think that because you come in from America or Canada, you went to Buckingham Palace and took off a piece of gold. It’s not like that. We had to work hard in the snow. Sometimes as nurses, doctors and all kinds of things to make a living,” the retired employee of the London Underground metro system revealed.

    “People want to come back to Barbados and live, but they don’t want to be taken advantage of. I am not here to ‘juck your eye out’ and I wouldn’t want you to do it to me either.”

    As a result of the challenges, Rollock said the group had prioritised assisting with the resettlement of returning nationals and was working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in that regard.

    In addition, he said the organisation had formed a circle of trusted professionals around the country who perform critical services at reasonable costs.

    “Normally people come back and they get short changed by contractors who tell them certain things and get them confused. Sometimes lawyers tell them things that are untrue. So we are here to advise them, guide them through the process and pick out the best of everything for them.

    “If they want, we have a base of carpenters and masons.
    They don’t necessarily do big jobs but they organise the finer details of construction…and even if they can’t do the job, they tell you how the job is to be done and it makes life easier,” said Rollock.

    He added: “At any given time I have at least three or four people coming to me looking for contractors so we advise that they don’t do anything until they contact us. We will name lawyers that are reputable or a group of lawyers that we trust.”

    The president added that returning nationals, if given the opportunity, were keen to give back to their society. He revealed the Northern Group often engaged in charitable activities to assist the Maria Brewster Children’s home, the St. Lucy District Hospital among others. Before they are able to give back however, Rollock says the returnees needed the best opportunity to settle down.

    “Many [returning nationals], when they come back, find it difficult because some people went away for so long they think that sweet bread still costs 20 cents. So we kind of resettle them back into society.

    Efforts to reach Barbados Bar Association President Rosalind Smith-Miller for a response to the accusations were unsuccessful


  12. The jaw dropping response by the President smacks of intellectual ignorance by stating that the returning nationals expect to find sweet bread at 20cents
    That is the kind of low life offensive verbage one often have to fight against when returning to barbados


    • @ac

      You have no credibility on the blog with this blogmaster. When similar issues were raised for 10 years check the archives on the blog. Even Professor Michael Howard told you to shoo on Facebook.

      By the way, how many buses did the party you support purchase in the last 10 years? How many garbage trucks? You allowed everything to hit rock bottom and have the nerve to be on the same blog telling people what to do? Go an advise Verla.


  13. David past govt was told to get lost and the people gave present govt a resounding victory of 30-0
    What people are hoping for are better not bitter
    Btw don’t know why you keep interjecting some unknown comment about a professor in this issue
    What does whoever u speak have to do with my ongoing comments
    Btw don’t know or even care about what u speak about one professor
    Stay on topic David


  14. Hal asked David he reference the professor name in this issue and for what purpose boggles my mind
    These days David is quick to grab at any straw to maintain his status


  15. Uh Done
    David whatever floats your boat
    Now back to this govtb incompetent hot and sweaty knee jerk responses to barbados problems aa they arises daily with no end in sight
    David try dealing with those issues and leave the distraction for real purpose and time


  16. You cannot make this up!

    Suit pending
    Article by
    Emmanuel Joseph
    Published on
    November 2, 2019

    The state-run Transport Authority (TA) is to be sued for damages arising out of disciplinary action taken against some owners of privately-operated Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).

    Counsel in the law firm of Michael A. Lashley Q.C. and Associates told Barbados TODAY this evening they will be advising their clients to sue the authority for loss of earnings and any other damages resulting from the state agency’s decision to find their clients in breach of the law.

    Dayna Taylor-Lavine and Asante Brathwaite, who have been retained by three PSV owners, noted that their clients received notice from the authority that they had breached Section 28 of the Transport Authority Act and the Road Traffic Regulations Sections 44 and 59.

    The authority had alleged that the operators of the vehicles did not complete a given route and wanted to make the owners liable. The authority had also sent a letter to one of their clients suspending his permit.

    But the attorneys have described this action as ultra vires, contending that the authority had acted outside of its jurisdiction.

    “We were surprised that the Transport Authority was seeking to take such action and in one instance even sent a letter giving notice that our client’s permit would be suspended for a period of three months effective November 1st, 2019.

    “The actions of the Transport Authority was in breach of Section 106 A of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2017 Cap. 295,” the attorneys said.

    In explaining that section of the law, the legal counsel noted that where a public service vehicle is driven by a person who is not the owner of the vehicle and that
    person is convicted of two offences involving the same public service vehicle, the Transport Authority Act shall issue a warning letter to the owner of the public service vehicle.

    The lawyer further told Barbados TODAY that the warning letter must indicate that where the person is convicted of a third offence involving that public service vehicle, the permit issued in respect of the vehicle shall be suspended for a period of six months.

    The law firm is insisting that the authority did not follow the procedure.

    “The Transport Authority clearly put the cart before the horse…and it is trite law that only a court of law is the competent and authorised body to hear breaches of the section of the Road Traffic Act and Transport Authority Act and not the Disciplinary Committee of the Transport Authority. Persons can only be convicted by the court as this is a clear function of the Magistrates’ Court,” the legal representatives said.

    “The Transport Authority clearly followed the wrong procedure, had no jurisdiction to hear the matter and acted ultra vires as they can only suspend a permit after three convictions by a Magistrate sitting in the Magistrates’ Court of Barbados,” they argued.

    The attorneys also questioned if the Transport Authority can play the role of the investigator and adjudicator in matters such as these.

    “The Transport Authority clearly breached section 106 A of the Road Traffic Act. It therefore means that all persons affected by this action have a right to bring an action against the Transport Authority for loss of earnings and any other damages arising out of this matter and we would be advising our clients as such,” the two lawyers warned.

    The authority has since withdrawn the letters of suspension following talks with the representative organisation.
    emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb


  17. @ Mariposa

    After BERT, what are the government’s plans for Barbados, what policies are in the bag? Or is it more hysterical, unscripted, hand-waving, preaching like a Pentecostal pastor, accusing the DLP of every sin in the book?


  18. RE The jaw dropping response by the President smacks of intellectual ignorance by stating that the returning nationals expect to find sweet bread at 20cents

    intellectual ignorance IS AN OBVIOUS OXYMORON TO START

    WHEREAS IT IS UNWISE TO EXPECT THAT A SALT BREAD OR ROCK CAKE SHOULD STILL COST 3 CENTS AS IT DID IN 1960, NOSTALGIA IS A THING THAT IS HARD TO OVERCOME

    WE WILL NEVER RETURN TO OUR LIFESTYLES OF A MORE GLORIOUS AGE, BUT WE MAY BE PATIENT WITH THOSE TOTALLY OVERCOME BY NOSTALGIA

    EVERY SUNDAY MORNING IN THE COFFEE & SNACK BREAK BETWEEN THE TWO MEETINGS I FOREGO THE DAINTIES ON DISPLAY , HEAD TO THE KITCHEN TO EXTRACT FROM THE REMNANTS OF THE LOAF PASSED AROUND IN THE BREAKING OF BREAD, A PIECE OF THIS BREAD ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SALT BREAD AND FILL IT WITH AS MUCH CHEESE TO MATCH THE OUNCE OF CHEESE MY MOTHER GAVE IN HER CHEESE CUTTERS IN OUR SHOP IN THE LATE 50’S AND EARLY 60’S.

    THERE IS A BAJAN LADY IN THE ASSEMBLY WHO DOES THE SAME
    WE ARE PROUD TO REGALE OUR FELLOW BELIEVERS ON THE CONCEPT OF CUTTERS OF ALL SORTS INCLUDING BREAD AND TWO

    IN 2011 AFTER 5 OCLOCK SERVICE ON CHRISTMAS MORNING AT A CERTAIN GOSPEL HALL, I WAS DELIGHTED WHEN THEY SERVED TEA WITH CHEESE CUTTERS AND HAM CUTTERS AND PUDDING FOR CHRISTMAS MORNING BREAKFAST.

    AS AN IGNORANT INTELLECTUAL, I CAN UNDERSTAND THE NOSTALGIA OF RETURNING RESIDENTS

    SUCH NOSTALGIA IS PRACTICED ALL OVER THE USA IN COMMUNITIES OF FOLK WHO HAVE MIGRATED WITH THEIR CUISINE AND CULTURE

    THERE IS SO MUCH ABOUT OUR PAST THAT THE YOUTH OF OUR DAY DO NOT KNOW OR APPRECIATE


  19. Did the Transport Authority seek legal advice before issuing suspension letters? They don’t have a legal department that could advice them of what they can and cannot do with regards to the Acts that they are to follow. Making a decision publicizing it in the media and then within a short space of time reverse the same decision makes the Transport Authority look shabby. This cannot be laff it off.Waste of taxpyers funds.


    • Are you saying Ian Estwick should be fired?

      Wasn’t Gregory Nicholls fired for equal incompetence as chairman of the TB?


  20. “SUCH NOSTALGIA IS PRACTICED ALL OVER THE USA IN COMMUNITIES OF FOLK WHO HAVE MIGRATED WITH THEIR CUISINE AND CULTURE”

    You nailed it.

    Not that often, but I have traveled over 20 miles from NJ to Brooklyn to get myself some pudding and souse and some rock cakes. If I add in the price of tolls, I am out by about $20.00 without taking a bite.

    Or I buy a bag of what look like salt bread and stuff them with cheese. I often think about the greasy looking cheese in the glass case and think I prefer to what I just got out of my fridge,

    GP… I do not comment on the Sunday page, but it would be interesting to see a post which talks about change in some way… as an example the difference a man undergoes when Christ comes into his life n(before/after)

    Would still be unable to contribute, but would read.


  21. THEO

    RE I often think about the greasy looking cheese in the glass case and think I prefer to what I just got out of my fridge,

    I OFTEN TELL THE AMERICANS UP HERE ON SUNDAY MORNINGS THAT THERE IS NO CHEESE IN THE WORLD LIKE THE GOOD OLD NEW ZEALAND CHEDDAR-FERNLEAF BRAND NAME THAT WE USE TO IMPORT

    A CHEESE CUTTER FOR LUNCH! LITTLE DID WE KNOW IT HAD SOME PROTEIN SOME FAT AND SOME CARBS- A WELL BALANCED MEAL FOR A POOR CHILD ON A SCHOOL DAY. PROVIDED THE REQUIRED ENERGY TO LEARN AND TO RUN AND TO PLAY

    RE do not comment on the Sunday page, but it would be interesting to see a post which talks about change in some way… as an example the difference a man undergoes when Christ comes into his life n(before/after) Would still be unable to contribute, but would read.

    I DONT HAVE SUCH AN ORIGINAL PIECE IN MY DATABASE BUT I MUST TRY TO PUT TOGETHER ONE, JUST FOR YOU FROM MY EXPERIENCES THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE HIGHS AND THE VERY LOWS

    JUST KEEP REMINDING ME


  22. Nothing suprising hearing the lawyers response a good one indeed
    Hoping that the same response would be taken by those who have lost their valuables at the Port
    In one year this govt has taken a lazy a.ss backward approach to correcting past inefficiencies
    ..

    watchmuhnow


  23. Nostalgia and present econmic realities are like day and night
    Any one living on this planet and expect past attidues concepts or ideas that were done fifty years ago to be still as real as they used to be is like an ostrich with head buried under the sand
    The President obviuosly instead of adressing the returning nationsl concern thought it best to insult them by obviuosly using sweeping and insensitive remarks usually said about returning nationals as to defined them as “cheap”


  24. David from many vantage point it might not be 10 years as this govt has given many a reason to throw them kicking and screaming out if Parliament
    One needs extra fingers and toes to count the many measures govt have put in place and all been rescinded
    This latest with the Transport Board bodes well to say that this is a govt having severe inefficiency problems and clueless on how to solve them
    Which brings to mind the letters sent to the squatters for them to pack up and leave by Oct end which Mottley told the squatters to ignore
    Now u talking about govt time period for resolution on these issues
    IMHOP a clueless govt what time ? It would take more than time but Brains which is missing


  25. Hal Austin November 2, 2019 6:28 AM “The debate does not move on. It is juvenile and silly.”

    Sir, don’t you believe it’s not only juvenile and silly to be constantly playing the Almighty by unnecessarily criticizing and trying to belittle the blogmaster, but immature as well, even for an old man your age?

    Why not behave like an adult, scroll past David’s comments if they bother you so much and let the debate continue without the silly, childish remarks.

    Impartial bloggers like John A, William Skinner, Wily Coyote, TheoGazerts, Vincent Codrington, Robert Lucus, NorthernObserver, Charles Skeete, Fear Play, Donna and few others I can’t remember at this time, bring a level of maturity, impartiality and deep analysis in their contributions that make BU interesting to read.

    Unfortunately, the excellent contributions you make from time to time are overshadowed when you help a few others here water down the blog by engaging in the silly, childish tit for tats and trading insults and rushing to defend a known political yardfowl who obviously has a specific agenda.

    It’s a turn off and what makes it disturbing is you are doing the same things you accuse others of doing.

    What will the youngsters think of you when they read your comments 15 years from now?


  26. Hello David

    You are hitting at the crux of the matter with a feather stick while a very informative peep of mine told me the following:

    Lil missy. Do not get roped in by these tricksters in this party. The suspension was discussed as well as the withdrawal. The move was intended to provide an appearance of seeking to tackle the problems associated with PSV malservice. Please note the operative word: the appearance. These people intended it to go that far and no further hence the withdrawal of the letters. The vast majority of PSV vehicles are owned by big up servants in the public sector as well as those in the political class. These brutes have no intention of rectifying the easiest problem in the world to fix because it will cost them money. Do you not see that every major issue that can easily be rectified by the introduction of legislation and rule is presented to the Barbadian public in a manner that you are to think it is too complex and complicated to resolve in the shortest possible time frame?

    Again, I pose the question to you, David, the real David: is Mia doing a good job or a bad job. Is her- larger than life cabinet- proving to support the old adage that ”many hands make like work”?

    If you honestly believe that this PsV matter was an oversight on the part of the minister and those under him who are supposed to dot all I’s and cross all T’s, you are badly mistaken. There is no way in the world that an administration that said to the Barbadian people, ” Yes the BLP can,” the BLP is all that Barbados needs to take them forward, could have made this error in legal judgement causing you to think that they are very much similiar to the DLP’s cart before the horse nonsense decisions.

    I also note that Mottley is taking the high road of normal BLP arrogance instead of projecting herself in humility and letting her work and the work of her party speak for itself. However, knowing her, it is clear that the accolades and praise she received for her very stimulating speech at the UN and her efforts in stabilising the economy (with a few upgrades), has lent her opportunity to turn to her indifferent self. Her arrogance is showing in the manner that she address the Dumbass Lying Party under Verla Wannabe and Solutions Grenville Party. Why address them if you know that they are no threat and that you are in the best position to show Barbadians and the world, that you will be a leader like no other?


    • There is still too much fluff however one must admit the work rate of this government seems to be higher that the previous. We need to see her moving to the punitive stage where people are fired for dropping the ball. We have to push for building a meritocracy; holding public officers accountable.


  27. You are flogging a dead horse. Every time you raise an issue about administrative or policymaking incompetence, you get a throw back about the last government. The debate does not move on. It is juvenile and silly.(Quote)


    • So lead the debate instead of asking about rugby or if the man on the Quaker Box is a Quaker…LOL.

      Better, scroll pass as recommended.

      Others like John A, Northern et al seem to do a good job. What is your problem?


  28. WELL SAID AND WELL WRITTEN SSS
    YA TOO SWEET GIRL! TOO SWEET!
    THIS POST IS LIKE AN EXQUISITE COVER DRIVE OR LATE CUT, OR AS I SAY TO MY WIFE ”
    GIRL YOU RIGHT UP THERE ALONGSIDE MY MOTHER’S COCONUT BREAD!:


  29. RE Every time you raise an issue about administrative or policymaking incompetence, you get a throw back about the last government. The debate does not move on. It is juvenile and silly.(Quote)

    NO ASSTIN —the last government will be forever be memorialized because it plumb the depths of corruption and incompetence; it set a standard of poor government never before seen in Barbados.

    question is WILL MIA & CO SUPERCEDE THEM IN THIS RESPECT OR WILL THEY BRING US BACK FROM THE BRINK OF DESPAIR AND DISMAY?


  30. @ David November 2, 2019 8:12 AM
    “Are you saying Ian Estwick should be fired?
    Wasn’t Gregory Nicholls fired for equal incompetence as chairman of the TB?”
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Isn’t this a case of spinning tot in mud or exchanging on one political hack for a jack for another incompetent knave?

    These politically-selected square pegs in round business holes are nothing more than the incestuous result arising from inheriting positions of imaginary authority as tokens of appreciation for their partisan political support and as rewards for their electioneering ‘hard work’.

    Blogmaster you ought to know that current model operating in the public transportation sector is prone to produce the problems of indiscipline and flagrant breaking of the laws.

    You just cannot have the existing laissez-faire approach to vehicle ownership and operation especially in the ZR segment.

    The current model might be suited to the Z only segment or method of transporting the public but clearly not on a mass basis.

    What is required is a Public Transport Cooperative business approach.

    Let the individual ZR owners form an umbrella business vehicle to supply mass transport to the public.

    Each existing ZR and B (minibus) owner would have shares (and dividends expectations) in the ‘Cooperative’ business entity equivalent to the number and on-the-road values of their vehicles and their start-up capital contribution.

    The drivers would be employed by the Cooperative and subject to the disciplinary regime of that ‘Independent’ entity.

    There would be significant operational cost savings in the form of insurances, bulk purchasing of parts and supplies and general administrative inputs.

    The regulator (Transport Authority) would have to deal with one entity instead of the existing myriad owners in hiding, defaulters and law breakers with reduced opportunities for public sector employees and managers to be on the take as currently prevails.

    Then and only then would the Transport Board in its current state can be given its last rites as the financially-crippled and terminally-ill player in the mass transit market; electric buses and all.


    • @Miller

      Agree with you the business model must drastically change. What we have is a farce at the moment with former minister Michael Lashley laughing all the way to the bank.


  31. Another blog police on patrol
    Have a blessed day friend and remember everyone is entitled to their own opinion
    It is people of your ilk who likes to set an agenda and shut others with a difference point of view out of discussion
    A typical ignorant bajan mentality by those who belive they way of thinikng supersedes all others differing views
    Reason why barbados economy is miles behind progressive countries


  32. The problems in public transport have been allowed to continue because of weak leadership along with a mixture of both private and public greed. The so called minibus culture is a direct offspring of collective shortcomings and a dismal failure of following basic rules.
    I recall when Vic Johnson was Minister of Transport, the Fairchild Street Terminal, normally called the Bus Stand, was completely rebuilt and was quite attractive for the time. To this day , forty years later, I think it was perhaps the most progressive attempt to address these issues.
    During his tenure there was comprehensive legislation/ regulations regarding behavior in the terminal and adherence to rules regarding public vehicles not stopping at bus stops and disembarking any and every where. I was immensely proud of how the bus stand looked.
    Lo and behold, the rules were not followed ; the bus stand after a few years deteriorated into a deplorable state and then the PSVs multiplied and it has been downhill ever since.
    Failure to control lawlessness and the encouragement of ignorance will continue to destroy the gains we occasionally make.

    2

    I once took a group of Black American friends to a luncheon in a government housing area . After they told me that the hostess must have been very well off to have put on such a spread and then refuse to even accept a penny. They then asked me what rent they paid, I said the equivalent of less than $300 US monthly. They told I have to be lying because similar apartments in the US will be closer to $900 US per month at the time.
    I just could not tell them that some people don’t even bother to pay the rent.
    Funny thing, the same people will hop on a plane , land in the US , eventually find a job and then work three jobs to pay $700 US a month,to rent a room in somebody’s basement.
    Well , as I was taught by a very progressive social scientist , decades ago, societies don’t deteriorate over night. Social miscreance if allowed to prosper for short term political gain, always would manifest itself in long term societal decline.


  33. @ TheOgazerts November 2, 2019 8:25 AM

    “Or I buy a bag of what look like salt bread and stuff them with cheese. I often think about the greasy looking cheese in the glass case and think I prefer to what I just got out of my fridge,”

    Your yearning for the above type of cheese is a classical example of eating habits. I prefer my cheese, soft with the oil seeping out. The era you refer to, was one where there were very few fridges available and cheese was stored in cupboards or larders. The larder legs were ensconced in empty-water filled evaporated milk cans. The latter was done to protect against the regulars (ants that had a rapid rate of movement: one doesn’t see them these days) At room temperature, fats break down occur ,leading to seepage of oil and the development of a rancid flavor, which is so much cherished by people of my generation.To the cheese aficionado, cheese in this particular state is a no go. and is considered to be a spoilt product. I personally find cheese that has been refrigerated, bland in smell and taste: whereas, the oily ,rancid cheese has a superb flavor and odor and also, a great mouth feel.


  34. Oh Lord! The appearance of doing something without actually doing it? Is this really the reason for what appears to be embarrassing incompetence? We no longer care about looking foolish?

    But I have contacts so I will call them.


  35. RE Lo and behold, the rules were not followed ; the bus stand after a few years deteriorated into a deplorable state and then the PSVs multiplied and it has been downhill ever since.
    Failure to control lawlessness and the encouragement of ignorance will continue to destroy the gains we occasionally make.

    SHOT!…….or
    GOOD BALL!

    RE societies don’t deteriorate over night. Social miscreance if allowed to prosper for short term political gain, always would manifest itself in long term societal decline.

    again

    SHOT!…….or
    GOOD BALL!


  36. ”There is still too much fluff however one must admit the work rate of this government seems to be higher that the previous. We need to see her moving to the punitive stage where people are fired for dropping the ball. We have to push for building a meritocracy; holding public officers accountable.”

    David. Come lately, I have started to believe in you again. Please do not let me down by citing pipe dream assertions. No one in the Public Service, far less a minister, will get fired for any ball dropping. If it was to be so, Glyne Clarke would have suffered a serious fate for his, ” more money for ministers” arrogant display in a situation where Barbados was asked to make serious sacrifices a few weeks after this party won elections. She should have made a public example of him early in her tenure to send a clear message that we are here to serve, not to be served. So I ain’t seeing no minister, senior public servant, or any ‘in the money position friend”, suffering the dismissal hammer. As to their: working more, I can tell you that as Barbados first female Prime Minister, to work less would have been counterproductive and disastrous to her need to project a good image. However, I know of many situations where persons who seem to be working more were producing less. Could this be the same for this big cabinet, since we are yet to speak of one ministry that has risen far above expectations?
    Also, I am all for giving credit where credit is due, and ready and willing to be critical where shite is obvious. I will give credit to Mottley for doing what the Dumbass Lying Party refuse to do. i.e. sacrifice for the sake of saving the little that we were about to lose. I will credit her for getting Barbados back on the upgrade credit rating after several hurtful downgrades. But, what is credit, and what is praise if you are going to make moves that will bring into question where your loyalty lies and what your true motives are. This is where I have problems with Mottley and her crew. They are pushing for a certain type of acceptance related to nepotism, to the point that it is to be acknowledged as a necessary step under their say so. In other words, as in the case of Sutherland and the QEH, no better could be done, so accept it. Again, I ask, is Mottley a good leader or one going down a bad road?


  37. I hope it is a power punching view. Would look out for it if time permits.

    Dr Georgie Porgie

    Thanks, sweetie. We all want the same thing with outcomes that are fair and just. Mottley is in the best position of her life to be a leader with a difference, instead of leaning towards indifference. Unfortunately, when your head giddy and swollen with overconfidence. haughty takes over and ya does start to believe that you are a master of all that you survey. That right there is going to be Mottley’s downfall. She does not have to say a thing to her detractors as long as her work speaks for itself. Instead, she is busy telling gullible leaders to big her up in the bajan newspaper so that the locals would be impressed and sing from the hilltops, Blessed a Mottley Mia is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of Leadership that is fine. Mottley forever.


  38. All yuh accepted mediocrity for 10+ years and now seeking perfection, which does not exist in any government anywhere in the world. Funny thing is, mediocrity thrives here on the same blog and is embraced, elevated and celebrated. Who laughs last, laughs best. I shall say it again, this government is not perfect; but once they stay focused they gine get the last laugh. Notice that the government continues to come out on top, even if they make some unpopular or wrong decisions. It is clear decisiveness trumps indecision with this lot. PSVs gine get good wuh coming for them. Carry on with the hearsay and a birdie whisper campaigns.🤣🤣


  39. Who mek’ing money, lots of it, from transporting the public worse than when ya carrying pigs to market?

    Hint: It is NOT the poor, rakey drivers and conductors


  40. By the way

    The name of this article is wrong.

    It IS NOT “attempt to break the law..”

    The Barbados Transport Authority BROKE THE LAW!

    But we will expect the writer to apologise for or write softly against the BLP Regime

Leave a comment, join the discussion.