PTSC Probes Driver Conduct After Mother’s Complaint

The Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) says it is treating claims of driver misconduct with the “utmost seriousness” and has launched an internal investigation after a mother alleged she was shouted at while travelling with her two young children.

In a media release dated February 22, the corporation acknowledged a social media post describing discourteous behaviour by one of its drivers. PTSC said it is taking steps to “fully establish the circumstances surrounding the incident” and noted that appropriate action will be taken once the process is complete.

The response follows an incident reported on a bus travelling from Port of Spain to Arima.

The mother said she purchased three tickets at City Gate — one for herself and two for her children — before boarding bus HDT 4014. Having not used the service in more than ten years, she explained that she was unfamiliar with the ticketing procedure.

According to her account, when she handed the tickets to the driver, he loudly questioned why she was giving them to him. When she asked whether she had done something wrong, the driver allegedly raised his voice again, suggesting she should have known the proper procedure.

She said she remained at the front of the bus with her children for several minutes during the exchange, feeling embarrassed in front of other passengers. Another commuter eventually told her that passengers are required to tear their own tickets and place them in a bin near the driver.

The mother maintains that the matter could have been resolved with a simple and respectful explanation.

She also recounted that upon arriving in Arima, her three-year-old son cheerfully said goodbye to the driver but received no response — an interaction she described as particularly hurtful.

In its statement, PTSC reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a “safe, respectful and reliable public transport service” and assured commuters that all complaints are handled in a fair and transparent manner.

The corporation did not indicate when the investigation is expected to conclude.

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