Commuters have agitated for stricter disciplinary regulations for public minibus operators for years now. Issues arising from drivers’ customer service and communications skills have been at the centre of commuters’ concerns.

On numerous occasions, frustrated passengers have resorted to the media and law enforcement to report incidents between themselves and bus drivers.

The PRO of the National Council on Public Transportation, Stephen McPhee, explains that the organisation is aware of these concerns and has been making efforts to establish a disciplinary committee.

Following initial discussions with Transport Minister Stephenson King, McPhee says there is some progress in that regard.

“I am not in a position to give out information because we are representing the bus drivers and it would be unfair to have put anything in the public domain even before they themselves could be called to a meeting and know what's happening. But I can tell you the disciplinary committee is one which has been a budding issue for some years now and the minister agreed.”

Without divulging an implementation date, McPhee disclosed that in “about two months time”, the public should expect to hear more about the committee.

At present, he notes, disciplinary avenues exist for bus operators at the local level with Minibus Associations, however a national committee is what’s missing.

“Everybody knows there are issues with bus drivers and all operators. There are certain issues that are beyond the Association, the Route Association and beyond Council,” he said.

Apart from a disciplinary committee, calls have been made for a total reconfiguration of the public transport sector, with the government having a more involved hand in its operations.