11 June 2024 – Transport Operators Urged to End Strike for Public Welfare By The Radamm.com
In the midst of a public transportation service disruption across various pockets of the island, the President of Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS), Egeton Newman, has issued a fervent plea for taxi operators to cease their strike action. Newman, in a press release on Monday, underscored the importance of operators resuming their services to alleviate the inconvenience faced by the commuting public.
Concerns and Communications: Newman’s Plea
Newman wants the taxi drivers who stopped working to start again. He says this because the people who need to travel are having a hard time. He thinks the government should also do something to make things better.
Government Response and Engagement: Minister Vaz’s Perspective
The withdrawal of service, deemed unfortunate by Newman, revolves around discussions concerning the suspension of drivers’ licenses after accumulating 10 demerit points. Of note, Newman highlighted the paradoxical involvement of certain protesting individuals in ongoing meetings with authorities.
On the government front, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz expressed surprise at the timing of the service withdrawal, attributing it to potential lapses in communication. Vaz, in a media release, assured that a meeting to address the operators’ grievances was scheduled for Tuesday, a fact announced well in advance.
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Operators’ Concerns and Government Acknowledgment
“I think maybe it’s just a problem with talking to each other. But I’ll keep observing the situation today. I want everyone to stay calm and sensible. I promised we’d talk about these issues tomorrow at a meeting. And we’re also looking into changing some traffic rules by the end of June,” Vaz explained.
The taxi drivers are worried they might lose their licenses if they get too many demerit points. Demerit points are like strikes against a driver’s record for breaking driving rules. Minister Vaz understands their worries. He agrees that some rules, like wearing seat belts and not parking in the right spots, need changes. Also, he knows that the fines, or penalties, for breaking these rules can be too much for some drivers.
Political Implications and Call for Collaboration
Amidst these concerns, Vaz highlighted another potential factor influencing the service withdrawal – political motivations. He urged those exploiting the situation for political gain to cease their disruptive actions, emphasizing the need for communication, collaboration, and consensus to achieve desired outcomes.
Some people might be using the taxi strike for their own political reasons. Minister Vaz wants them to stop. He says everyone should talk and agree on what to do instead of fighting.
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Operational Response and Public Reassurance
The planned duration of the service withdrawal spans five days, as outlined in the release. In response, the Transport Authority (TA) has deployed teams to affected areas to provide reassurance and assist with the transportation of students and other commuters.
The government has a plan to deal with the strike. They will help people who need to travel, especially students, while the taxi drivers are not working.
Path Forward: Dialogue and Resolution
As the discussions between the government and transport operators continue, the overarching goal remains the restoration of public transportation services for the welfare of the commuting public. With both sides acknowledging the need for dialogue and resolution, hopes are high for a swift and amicable resolution to the ongoing impasse.
The government and the taxi drivers will keep talking to solve the problem. They both want the people who need to travel to have an easier time. They hope they can find a solution quickly.
