St. George, Grenada. Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 − A meeting held last Thursday, involving Government officials and representatives of the National Bus Association (NBA), resulted in an action plan aimed at resolving issues identified as important to bus drivers and owners. The meeting, which was hosted by Prime Minister Hon Tillman Thomas at his Botanical Gardens office, brought together NBA representatives, Mr. Jude Lett, NBA President (Ag.), Mr. George Anthony, Mr. Roy Henry, Mr. Nathaniel Charles and Mr. Wilbert Francis, as well as the Minister of Works, Hon. Denneth Modeste, Minister of Information, Hon. Glen Noel, Chief Technical Officer and Chairman of the Transport Board, Mr. Cecil Harris and Aide to the PM, Mr. Gerry Hopkin. The meeting started with a warm welcome to the NBA representatives from PM Thomas. The PM took time to acknowledge the importance of the service which bus owners and operators provide the nation, and indicated his openness to seeking solutions to matters of concern for the NBA. The issues focused on included the composition of the transport board; conditions at the bus terminus; the issuance, renewal and replacement of Route Stickers; and the NBA’s interest in having a saturation study done as part of their perceived need for a comprehensive assessment of bus routes nation-wide. After almost two hours of concerned listening, candid discussions, and constructive problem solving efforts on the part of all attending the meeting, certain issues were identified for follow-up action. It is noteworthy that the tail end of the meeting had to be transferred to the Conference Room of the Ministry of Works, necessitated by the PM's need to attend another equally important meeting. At the continued meeting, the Ministry of Works and PM’s Office were represented by CTO Mr. Harris and Mr. Hopkin. Generally, it was agreed that whereas one meeting would not be enough to completely resolve all of the issues of concern to the NBA, certain steps will be taken, beginning immediately and continuing through the interim period, from the instant meeting until the follow-up one. Based on the discussions held, the administration promised that through the Ministry of Works, steps will be taken to address the concerns noted below: Additional NBA member would be Appointed to Transportation Board Mb the Minister of Works – this is to further represent the interests of owners, operators, providers of public service vehicles. This may commence as of November 2012. Examination and Clarification of Procedures at the Transportation Board’s Office at the Bus Terminus − Procedures and Functions of the Transportation Board Office at the Bust Terminus would be clarified and made more efficient and consistent with guidelines provided after consultation with the NBA. Approval of Applications − the names and route numbers of applicants will be forwarded to the NBA for review and comments prior to consideration at the Transport Board meeting. Conditions and facilities at the Bus Terminus – action will be taken to explore, with a view to making available, space for a recreational room and a drinking water tap/cooler for bus operators. Hours of Operation of the Bus Terminus − new extended hours were proposed, pending adoption. These new hours are: Open at 4 a.m. and Close at 10 p.m. on week days; Open 4 a.m. and Close at 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and open 7 a.m. and Closing at 7 p.m. on Sundays and Holidays. Increased Police Presence at the Bus Terminus − steps will be taken to effectuate increased police presence at the bus terminus. Recognized Need to Review Regulations as they Relate to All Public Transportation Services vis-à-vis Fairness of Requirements − steps will be taken to ensure equality with respect to regulations affecting transportation service providers. This is in response to Bus Owners concerns that Airport Taxi Owners and Cruise Ship Terminal Taxi Owners seem to be minimally burdened by regulations, compared to requirements that they, the bus owners, operate under. Before the close of the meeting, Mr. Lett took time to extend his appreciation and that of the NBA members, for the opportunity afforded to discuss and address issues that are seen as important to all concerned. Speaking about the meeting, PM Thomas said, “This meeting provided an opportunity for us – Government officials and bus drivers and owners − to partner in finding real solutions to some of our transportation issues of the day. Through open and respectable discussion, we were able to begin the process of resolving the issues that were brought before us,” added PM Thomas.