Surrey industry reform plans announced

Wed, Feb 5th 2014, 11:53 AM

Changes to legislation, training, a hike in fees, a communal stable and alternative routes are among improvements under consideration by government and stakeholders to improve operations of the surrey industry.
Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys-Hanna Martin and representatives of the Cab Board apprised media representatives of achievements in the industry and the status of plans going forward during a press briefing on Monday.
"We are on the move," said Hanna-Martin.
"What you see is a complex issue and it involves a lot of industry stakeholders and they are sitting around the table. Some are volunteers and we have been able to bring a unique and sensitive focus to this issue."
Hope Strachan, minister of state in the ministry of transport and aviation, Lorraine Armbrister, permanent secretary in the ministry of transport and aviation, Peter Deveaux-Isaacs, undersecretary in the ministry of transport and aviation, and Brad Smith, assistant road traffic controller, attended the briefing.
Over 30 surrey drivers would be affected by changes the Cabs Board is seeking to implement, including revision of the legislation to an act that was established in 1909 and amended in 1968.
"The act is pretty old," said Dr. Maurice Isaacs, chairman of the Cabs Board.
"We are trying to bring it back. Nobody was aware of what the act said and its requirements. We are trying to make sure there is a sustained effort. Things have been very sporadic. We have to keep things moving including the enforcement agencies."
A network has been established comprising the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RPBF), Road Traffic Department, the Ministry of Tourism, the Bahamas Humane Society and the Port Authority and there are plans to include the Animal Control Unit.
The committee is considering communal stables, free duty on hay, feed and horse shoes and a training program for local farriers.
Isaacs pointed out that the committee has also re-established activities under the act, including creation of drivers' badges, creation and distribution of drivers' rules, summaries and establishment of a competency exam for surrey drivers.
Janet Johnson, a member of the Stable Sub-committee, said dialogue is in progress with the industry regarding an alternative route of a maritime tour.
"The Bahamas has a rich history of maritime tourism and we would love to be able to explore that with the surrey horses if we are able to stable them in this area particularly on a route that goes west that might stop at Arawak Cay where they can have soft drinks or conch salad/fritters and talk about the rich history that we have here on the sea," she said.
Members of the Cabs Board are Dr. Maurice Isaacs, chairman; John Nixon, Ministry of Tourism; Inspector Kenrid Neely, Royal Bahamas Police Force; Brad Smith, Road Traffic Department; Dayne D'Aguilar, Bahamas Humane Society; Alfred Hart, Port Authority, and Dr. Kwesie Smith.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

 Sponsored Ads