AGREEMENT has been reached between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the General Minibus Association on several areas of concern to minibus operators during recent meetings between the two sides.

At the request of the President of the General Minibus Association, meetings were held between the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, and representatives of the Association, on March 23, 2009, and April 15, 2009, respectively.

The meetings discussed, inter alia, matters pertaining to playing of music in and markings on minibuses, a joint release said.

The release added that consensus was reached between the Ministry and the Association, on the areas of concern, and the following decisions were arrived at:

1. Original and combined radio decks/CD player with two speakers already installed in the interior of dashboard/front doors in an imported minibus, will be allowed.

2. Replacement of such radio decks/CD player, having been stolen or damaged, will be permitted, providing these are of similar specification to the original unit.

3. No amplification of sound is permitted, whether by way of power amps, tweeters, equalizers, boosters, or any other means, in any minibus or hire cars.

4. Placement of six-inch sun visor on the top portion of the windscreen; no names, slogans or drawings is permitted.

5. Owners of minibuses will apply for the requisite permission to operate outside of their normal zone, where this becomes necessary.

Minibus and hire car operators are advised to take note of these decisions, and are reminded that failure to comply with the laws and regulations governing public transportation will result in prosecution, the release said.