The minibuses' cooperative has asked the Transport Ministry for more time to examine the draft regulations on the public transport reform which, it claimed, threatened investment in the sector.
On Friday, the Transport Ministry published draft regulations for the unscheduled public transport service, which includes red and white minibuses. The draft regulations are based on the consultation document launched last October for the public transport reform.
The ministry said the regulations were a confirmation of its intention to completely liberalise the unscheduled public transport sector. However, in a letter sent by its legal representative, the minibuses' cooperative said the members had received the letter from the Transport Ministry on February 13, four days after the ministry issued the letter.
According to the draft regulations, red and white minibuses older than 12 years will not be licensed to provide public transport.
More than 50 per cent of the red minibuses used on the school run were manufactured before 1997 and are not equipped with seatbelts because, under EU rules, vehicles of that age are not obliged to install them.
The ministry requested the members of the cooperative to give their feedback on the regulations by Thursday.
The cooperative said it would not have enough time to go through the document when it is clear that the regulations would have serious repercussions on members' lives.
It reminded the ministry that, after the public transport reform was launched last summer, the government imposed short and unreasonable deadlines for feedback from the cooperative. However, with the help of experts, the cooperative presented the ministry with two reports in August.
Seven months have passed since without any feedback on the reports being received, the cooperative said. It called on the ministry to provide it with copies of all the documents in order to examine them in a holistic way.
Factbox: Draft regulations
According to the draft regulations, drivers:
have to wear long trousers, buttoned shirt, socks, shoes other than sandals
cannot overtake other vehicles except when they are stationary on the carriageway
have to drive in a prudent way without making the passengers feel unsafe
cannot use a mobile phone or any other apparatus that will cause distractions
have to leave the vehicle in gear at all times and can allow the vehicle to free-wheel only for six metres
cannot have lengthy discussions while driving
cannot play any audio device unless agreed upon with the transport organiser
have to keep the vehicles clean and in a good state of repair
have to ensure that schoolchildren leave the vehicle from an exit not exposed to traffic
have to use hazard lights when children are alighting or exiting the vehicle
cannot exceed the speed limit of 40km/h in towns or 60km/h outside built-up areas
cannot change the price for school transport during a scholastic year unless approved in writing by the ADT
cannot have a discoloured tag
cannot refuel the vehicle while passengers are on board
will not allow anyone to carry any smelly items
cannot smoke while on duty