The National Council on Public Transportation (NCOPT) President, Godfrey Ferdinand, has expressed concern over recent road accidents, including minibus crashes blamed on brake failure.
Ferdinand said all accidents, not just those involving minibus operators, cause concern.
“It’s just very alarming when it’s a bus because obviously there are more persons on a bus,” he explained.
“On any given day, if we are to look at the accident rate, there would be more private vehicles than minibuses, but then it becomes an issue because of the number of people we transport,” the NCOPT President stated.
He disclosed that a meeting involving the NCOPT, the Insurance Council of Saint Lucia, the garages, the police, and the Ministry of Transport was to address the issue.
According to Ferdinand, the police proposed the meeting.
“We are also aware that accidents are things you cannot avoid. However, some of these incidents are not accidents. Some are based on the condition of the vehicles; some are driver error, and sometimes, road conditions,” the NCOPT President told reporters.
Ferdinand said health issues also contribute to some road incidents.
“Somebody could be sick and end up in an accident,” he observed, adding that signage was another factor.
Nevertheless, Ferdinand revealed that the Ministry of Transport would inspect minibuses more often.
“So we expect there to be a decrease in accidents and better conditions on the road,” he asserted.
Ferdinand said the public transport sector was doing well in transitioning from old to new vehicles.
He recalled that the government had given concessions on new vehicles.
But he explained that due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, some operators would be unable to afford new vehicles.
As a result, the NCOPT has asked for concessions on used vehicles and has obtained a list outlining what operators can import.
In this regard, Ferdinand said minibuses in better condition would soon be on the road.
They dont service their brakes. and no authourity in st lucia is looking into road worthiness of vehicles checking brakes and all. this problem has taken many lives in st lucia. the minibus drivers fail to replace their brakes and take chances. as long as government get insurance money every year, it dont care about the state of the vehicle. sad state of affairs.
Godfrey has a point….the price of new vehicles are exorbitant at those local dealerships. We complain about Massy but we should also complain about JQ beachcomber etc. Why a new vehicle with shipping online is 33kusd and those dealers selling that same vehicle for 200k EC? This forces people to try to keep their old skettels on the road. Price control….consumer affairs do your work!
Brother man the amount of drug addicts /substance abuse/alcohilics that’s on our roads its unbelievable, it is the major contributor to accidents and.the women worst than the men still they always in a.rush as if they on their month
I don’t think it’s the case of needing a new bus, nice try thou…it’s about regular maintenance, every 4 month have an oil fuel filter changes, check stabilizer bar joints, front shocks, front brakes, air in all 4 tires, engine oil, radiator oil or water! …when You are in your vehicle you are responsible for people outside your bus as well. CARE FOR COUNTRY. Water finally back since 25th of last month in Cap!…. Please ADD PUMP HOUSES to CAP Estate for no other reason than CABOT it self they managed to fenaggle the Wasco connection by cottenbay so they getting water concessions before all of Cap!…..smh
Greedy, ignorant, illiterate and downright don’t -give-a -damn drivers are responsible for minibus accidents on the road. My cousin drives a minibus owned a public servant. He is supposed to bring in x-amount of money during the week, and Saturdays earnings belong to him. if he gets a trip during the week to take someone to Soufriere or Vieux Fort, he goes unknown to the owner, and that money belongs to him. If the Bus is in need of any repairs, the owner usually suggests that it be done on the weekend. Because of that, the driver will usually refrain from reporting any need for repairs, if it will be done on the day that belongs to him. If the brake pads begin to squeak on a Friday, he will continue to drive on it until Saturday night. Sunday morning he will then inform the owner that the breaks began to squeak on Saturday Afternoon, and it needs repair. Most times the owner changes the brakes promptly. However, if the brakes could not be changed on the Sunday, the driver will still be on the road on Monday and promise to drive carefully. Even when he promises to drive carefully, he will never turn down a trip to Soufriere or Vieux Fort with the faulty brakes. these drivers are responsible for accidents on the roads. Full stop.
SMH. Have we not realised that the MAIN problem is DRIVING SCHOOLS. All of a sudden ppl drive on feeling and convenience. They stop on the main highway to allow ppl from a minor road to proceed and then call it BEING COURTEOUS. These 2 words don’t exist in any Driving or Highway Code. Then they teach ppl to PUSH THEIR NOSE INFRONT. This too does not exists in any Driving or Highway Code. As long as we continue with those Driving Instructors, No Policing of our roads the accidents will only Increase.
There are too many not- to-smart driving schools all over. A disturbing trend is that they teach learners to switch lanes inside a roundabout when both lanes are leading to the same place…why change lanes? Eg southbound lanes by Renwick they on the right lane going to say Vigie playing field….while inside the roundabout they switch to the left lane…wtf…..fix this please