PTSC Workers Welcome New Routes But Demand Salary Settlement

The Public Transport Service Corporation is preparing to introduce between 25 and 30 new bus routes across Trinidad and Tobago as the Government attempts to rebuild and expand the country’s public transportation network.

The proposed routes are expected to serve both rural and urban communities, potentially restoring public transportation to areas where services have been reduced or discontinued.

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Eli Zakour said the Government has been repairing buses and returning vehicles to service as part of efforts to improve PTSC’s operations.

According to Zakour, PTSC should have a fleet of approximately 300 buses but the administration inherited just 97 buses in operation.

He also said 76 PTSC routes had previously been discontinued.

The Government has since been working to repair buses, increase the number of operational vehicles and expand the routes available to commuters.

Zakour said approximately 25 to 30 additional routes are expected to be introduced soon, covering communities throughout the country.

PTSC workers have welcomed the planned expansion but are simultaneously renewing attention on outstanding salary negotiations dating back to 2015.

The salary issue forms part of a wider push to resolve longstanding negotiations involving workers at several state enterprises.

Earlier this year, Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union President General Ancel Roget identified PTSC employees among groups expected to benefit from settlements following Government’s announcement that funding would be provided for outstanding negotiations.

The expansion therefore comes at a significant moment for PTSC, with the corporation attempting to improve services for commuters while longstanding industrial relations matters remain an issue for employees.

Details of the individual communities to be served by all of the proposed new routes are expected as the rollout progresses.