Minister of Tourism Charles Clifford is amending legislation so that fit and healthy drivers older than 70 can provide public transportation.
‘Current provisions in the law prohibit individuals over 70 years of age to be issued taxi licences and public transport licences by the Public Transport Board,’ said Minister Clifford in reference to Section 4 (2) (a) of the Public Passenger Vehicles Regulations.
‘My view on that and a view which my colleagues in Cabinet have accepted is that we should not discriminate on the basis of age and so we should cause that legislation to be amended,’ he said.
He was speaking at a meeting held by tourism officials at UCCI on Wednesday evening last week for taxi and tour operators.
The Minister pointed out that an amendment to the legislation would have to include some provisions that individuals over a certain age would be required to have a certificate from a doctor stating that he or she is medically fit and capable of driving.
‘The Public Transport Board would have to satisfy itself that not only is that person capable of driving, but that there are no medical issues or with respect to eyesight.
‘And if we can satisfy all those requirements then there really is, if we all think about it carefully, no basis upon which to discriminate on age.’
The amendments are with the legislative drafting department and should be ready for formal consideration by Cabinet at the end of this month.
Following this it has to go to the Legislative Assembly where it will be tabled and comes into effect 21 days later.
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