Operators of taxis, route taxis, and minibuses have been warned to be extra vigilant during the upcoming las’ lap Crop Over weekend, amid fears that they could be targets of criminal attacks.
A worried chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) Roy Raphael on Thursday issued the caution as he also called on Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce to put more patrols on the roads to help protect taxi drivers and other Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).
He said taxi drivers are particularly vulnerable to crime, especially when the sun goes down, as he noted that the recent upsurge in gun violence and daring robberies is discouraging some PSV operators from working at night.
“The problem is that some of our members are still afraid to work after a certain time at night. We have already asked our members to put certain measures in place to deal with the whole question of their safety. We also want to have a meeting with the Commissioner of Police to see if we can have more patrols, particularly during the festive season, so that the taxi operators can remain safe,” Raphael told Barbados TODAY.
In giving advice to PSV operators, he added: “Be careful, be vigilant, be aware of who you are putting into your vehicle, and if necessary, give our hotline a call. Some operators have already started to put GPS [Global Positioning System] systems into their vehicles as well as cameras…and we are encouraging those persons who do not have these, please do so…. These are serious times that we are dealing with.”
“What we have asked our ZR operators to do is to put measures in place, and I want the public to cooperate. For example, on entering the vehicles we would like them to at least pull down their masks so that we can have a facial description of them.”
Raphael said there were other requests that would be made of passengers.
“We are asking patrons, especially if they are single, not to sit in the back seat of the taxi. Moreso, sit next to the driver. We are also asking the drivers to look for certain marks that may identify a potential perpetrator. Also, when they are going on trips, call a friend and tell them where they are going or call the association’s hotline, and when you arrive safely, call us and let us know, and also your next destination,” he said.
“Also, we would like our patrons to pay their fares immediately before entering the vehicles because we are still having situations on some taxis where passengers want to pay at the destination point…and when you get that, some situations arise where a fellow may not have exact fare and says he has to go into his house for the money…but never returns.
“We are also asking our members not to get into any confrontation with anybody because this can lead to serious injuries. If a fellow doesn’t want to pay, then let him go. At least you will be able to live to see another day,” the AOPT chairman further suggested.
He also offered other safety advice that would be beneficial to passengers and taxi drivers.
“We want members of the public, if possible, to personalise their taxi operators. Personalise means that if you know the person that can come and take you from the events, put that person on your phone and then you can call them and tell them you are ready or you need to be picked up,” Raphael advised.
Another concern of the AOPT during this festive season is intoxicated passengers.
“It is very concerning to us as operators when persons get into the vehicles and they are drunk and behave in a disorderly manner. Sometimes they attempt to open the vehicle doors to vomit. I am appealing to all drivers, if you get any jobs like that and the persons are uncontrollable, do not take them into your vehicle,” Raphael urged.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
