As for the timing of threatened action, BOA president Nicholas Jacques said, “Monday will be a better day as hundreds of commuters will be returning to work and we will have more impact on a Monday morning. If I don’t get anything satisfactory from them on Friday evening, on Monday morning there will be no buses running.”
In an interview with the Guardian on Wednesday, Mr. Jacques warned jitney users to dust off their walking shoes as the 400 drivers prepare to park their vehicles in protest over a hike in franchise fees and trading names.
Accusing the Government of using stalling tactics, Mr. Jacques hinted that the only thing that might avert the potentially crippling action would be the revocation of the $300 increase in franchise fees and the $100 increase in trading names.
At a press conference held at BOA headquarters two weeks ago, Mr. Jacques warned that if the July hike in fees is not lifted by Friday, October 31, jitney buses could be parked after they “develop mechanical problems indefinitely.”
Said Mr. Jacques on Wednesday: “Our position remains the same. I am not going to allow them to extend the deadline beyond Friday. If I don’t hear anything from them, I am going to direct my members to do what we said we were going to do. On Monday, our buses will be parked. I would have liked to hear some word on it by today because Cabinet met on Tuesday, but I am going to allow that to hamper my programme.”
He explained that no action will be taken over the weekend because it will have the affect they are looking for.
Previously, bus operators paid a $300 flat fee for their first three buses, but are now being required to pay $300 for each bus.
The increases, foreshadowed by Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin during her contribution to the Budget debate in June, came into effect in July. She said the decision was based on the recommendations made that the increase in franchise fees be applied to individual buses across the board.
By Keva Lightbourne, The Nassau Guardian
