In the wake of a recent accident involving a ZR vehicle near Lester Vaughan School, Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne has urged the government to impose restrictions or outright bans on music played in public service vehicles (PSVs). Thorne emphasized the need to shield children from explicit lyrics and degrading content during their daily commutes, arguing that such exposure undermines their dignity and moral development. Speaking during a parliamentary debate on the Copyright Bill, he called on the administration to prioritize the protection of young citizens over popular opinion. ‘Public transport should not serve as a platform for disseminating inappropriate music,’ Thorne asserted, suggesting the government consider removing music entirely from PSVs. Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams countered Thorne’s remarks, stating that the government is neither complacent nor indifferent to the challenges within the PSV industry. Abrahams revealed that ministers had discussed the accident and agreed to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to improve safety and regulation. He also criticized Thorne for politicizing the issue, emphasizing that the incident is a national concern requiring collective action. While the government has already passed legislation to strengthen the Transport Authority, Abrahams acknowledged the need for stricter enforcement to address ongoing issues in the sector.
