And the media asked him about that last part, which sounded like a jab referring to the ancient buses that are still on the road. There have been reports that Floralia Bus Line has been getting incentives, such as import duties and tax exemption on fuel. The other bus operators have been crying foul and Ferguson explained that if they want relief, then they'll have to get with the program that he has envisioned for the transport department.
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport
"When I took over the Ministry, I never minced no words. I said that we are going to upgrade and improve the transportation system. I told every operator to get prepared for it. I guess maybe it caught them off-guard because initially I said June, 2022. I extend it now to December, 2022. But besides that, when I negotiate, I negotiate for everybody collectively. I'll give you an illustration. You know there was a change of school bus operators since the government changed. And normally, lending institutions don't want lend you money because they get a two-year contract from the Ministry of Education. I was able to negotiate for them with the National Bank for a four-year period of repayment so they all got loans from the National Bank to purchase their buses because I was skilfully there to negotiate for them. And I don't want to make any noise right now, but I'm skilfully negotiating for all the bus operators across this country and that's why they are very happy."
Reporter
"However, what we're being told is that some of these pre-existing operators, I'm talking prior to Floralia entering the picture, they're saying that in some cases they're getting road service permits that are only for three months, six months, so then when they go to the bank, they cannot get a loan to enhance their service or their bus fleet precisely because they won't get a loan based on these very short-term permits."
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport
"Right now, we are doing an assessment - a whole transportation plan going on in the Ministry of Transportation so we don't want to give some permits for maybe two years permits and then at the end of the day we have to figure out what is the best way forward. When we discussed with the bus operators a couple days ago, I told them together we have to fix the industry. And I'll be very frank - too many buses on the highway. Nobody's making any money so we'll have to figure out what is the best way to streamline this industry that we can see an improvement and likewise, the operators making money. So if somebody will have to go at the end of the day, somebody will have to go. But that will be between ourselves and the bus operators. As I sit on top of the transportation industry I am here that everybody should benefit, so I will also take a paper to cabinet - if we are going to bring in modern busses, then expect that we get some relief from the exemption [duty], so it will not only be for Floralia, it will be across the board once cabinet approves that you know what we are going give this exemption so you can bring better busses. At the end of the day gvernment is going to make more money from it, because when you bring in these busses 20 years old, the duty is only maybe $3,000."
