Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
THE AUTHORITIES seem headed for another showdown with the National Transport Co-operative Society (NTCS) after the bus company's president, Ezroy Millwood, accused the Government of exploiting his organisation.
During a press conference yesterday at the Hotel Four Seasons, New Kingston, an angry Mr. Millwood accused the Transport Authority, the Government agency that issues sub-franchise licences to NTCS members, of incompetence.
"I am provoked, fed up and tired of what's going on in the transport industry and I will not sit back and allow the abuse of small investors," said Mr. Millwood.
SUB-FRANCHISE LICENCES
The outspoken NTCS founder said the Transport Authority had not issued sub-franchise licences to some of his members, even though they had paid the required fees.
"They still have not granted these licences, so what must we do?" asked Mr. Millwood. "Justice is a scarce commodity in this sector."
However Robert Pickersgill, Minister of Housing Transport and Works, told The Gleaner that previous consultation with administrators at the Transport Authority revealed that not all NTCS members had paid their fees.
"I will have to check again ... both of them cannot be right," said Mr. Pickersgill.
Following the press conference, Mr. Millwood led owners and employees to the Transport Ministry to see Mr. Pickersgill, but he was not in office.
The Government and NTCS have been at loggerheads since 2001 when the former reversed a 10-year agreement for that organisation to provide transportation for most Corporate Area routes.
