Establish organisations such as the Bus Operators Association or the Taxi Drivers Association to allow the interests and concerns of the public transport operators to be heard for ongoing improvement of their services.

This has been recommended to the government by the United Nations’ Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in a report on improving rural public transport released late last year.

ESCAP developed 10 strategic actions to strengthen rural transport connectivity.

The report recommended that transport operatorsweare formally represented and actively engaged in shaping public transport policies and improvements. It was stated to conduct a needs assessment to understand the challenges and priorities of bus operators and taxi drivers through surveys, focus groups and consultations to gather input and ensure their involvement in the formation of a body such as an association.

“Draft constitution outlining the vision, mission, objectives and structure of the associations. Register the associations as legal entities with relevant government agencies, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements,” the report stated.

“Elect a board of directors or executive committee to oversee the setup and operations of the associations. Consider ga ood representation from the different sectors within the transport industry.

“Develop a membership recruitment strategy and drive to attract bus operators and taxi drivers to join the associations. These organisations can become members of the Samoa Umbrella of NGOs so that they benefit from training opportunities.”

The report stated that these associations should serve as the primary advocates for members’ interests by lobbying government agencies, MPs and other stakeholders on issues affecting the transport industry. It aids in representing members in negotiations with regulatory bodies and other relevant organisations to address concerns and promote favourable policies, such as pricing

The government was prompted to establish communication channels such as websites and social media platforms to disseminate information and updates to members and collaborate with relevant government agencies and NGOs to develop and enforce industry standards and best practices to ensure safety, reliability and quality of services provided by members.

“Develop a sustainable funding model for the associations through membership fees, sponsorship, grants or other revenue-generating activities. Set up transparent financial management processes for accountability,” the report stated.

“Conduct community engagement and foster positive relationships with stakeholders through outreach and public relations campaigns. Promote the role and contribution of public transport drivers, highlighting their importance as essential service providers.

“Conduct regular evaluations of the associations’ performance and effectiveness in meeting members’ needs and achieving objectives. Elicit feedback from members and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to strategies and operations”

The report stated that by implementing this strategy, the Bus Operators Association and Taxi Drivers Association can effectively represent the interests of their members, strengthen the transportation industry and contribute to the overall development of Samoa’s economy.