By Ernesto Cooke (News784) – The government intends to keep a close eye on the operations of the newly donated buses from the ROC. The warning came from Minister of Transport and Works Senator Julian Francis.
Francis said the government is committing it self to paying the first licensee on the buses along with the insurance.
“Comprehensive insurance with the statutory third party clauses to cover all aspects of proper comprehensive coverage for vehicles”.
Francis said the monies would be put out up front by the government to be deducted over the period of the year and the five years.
He said the buses would be leased over a five year period at the end of the five year period the operator will have an option to negotiate with the government to purchase the bus.
At that time Francis said there would be a discussion as to the current value. If you run down the buses and feel that you will get it cheaper at the end, you will not reach the end, to get the opportunity to buy it, because we will take it away from you early,” Francis said.
“If you run down the buses and feel that you will get it cheaper at the end, you will not reach the end, to get the opportunity to buy it, because we will take it away from you early,” Francis said.
The minister further note that the maintenance of the bus is that of the lessee; “ you would be paying a fee every month, the payment has been worked out, but I prefer not to disclose it to the public until such time that we have gotten to the 10 lucky persons who would be leasing these buses”.
Francis said that there are 47 applicants for ten buses, which means the ministry will have to go through an elimination process by way of interview.
It is expected by midweek or Thursday the latest the process should be completed and by Friday the persons who are operating the buses will have them in hand and be ready for Monday when school re-opens.
Francis said that there would be no concession and contracts with the new buses, the government would also be handing over the buses to the drivers with a full tank of fuel.
He said the main spending the operator has, would be the maintenance of the vehicles.
Along with this, Francis pointed out that the government would be providing 3 General inspections per year, and at that time a greater examination will be made of the buses.
Regarding persons would operate the buses Francis said that individuals 30 years and over would be driving. Francis noted that if anyone beyond the age of sixty were to drive the buses, a medical exam would be required.
