This current operating fleet (12 “articulate”, 25 I/Os or double-buses and five 24-seaters for countryside runs) were those buses purchased last October.

But PTSC has since hit a snag, with government reportedly refusing to dole out more cash unless there are certain changes in personnel.

“Before these new buses were bought, the runners use to be 103 to 105 on a daily basis,” said one source.

“The present engineer is a failure where ever he goes. He resigned from here and VMCOTT then the PTSC board rehired him as supervising engineer.

“It is obvious he cannot perform his duties as a supervising engineer so why did they give him the position?” a clearly emotional worker asked.

“From my point of view, the board is only concern about their pockets and which of their family members could benefit.

“PTSC has not learnt from their mistakes.

“It is like we are moving backwards.

“We as the workers of this company need to take a stand.”

The worker also noted that, “apart from the missing DVD and audio systems from the new buses, management continues to play with the minds of commuters by slowing down the runner line.”

When TnT Mirror contacted Bartholomew, he said: “I resign on my own at both PTSC and VMCOTT but I returned to PTSC because there was a job they wanted me to do.

“And ever since I came back, the runners have been at an all-time high.

“It has never been this high before,” Bartholomew said.

“Over the last couple of weeks, the runners have been fluctuating.

“This is because we ran the older buses hard to meet the commuters’ need for the Point Fortin celebrations.”

He said he resigned from PTSC in 2000 because he was asked to help create VMCOTT.

“This is an opportunity no professional would turn down and the records are all there to show,” he added.

Bartholomew also sought to end speculation on the missing DVD and audio systems from the new buses.

“The DVDs were taken out for security purposes and placed in storage until we build a proper (secure) system for them.”

Edison Isaac the State Company’s chief executive officer, told Mirror PTSC “rehired Bartholomew to oversee a project and now we are making some changes to improve the level of service offered to commuters.”

Isaac added: “There are buses there since 1991 and they reached retiring time. Most public buses should not go over 10 years so, yes, the runners are having some difficulties, but improvements are being made.”

He also allayed fears of the disappearance of DVDs.

“The DVDs were being stolen and they suspected it was from internal so they were taken out for security purposes and placed in storage.

“By the end of June, they will be placed back into the buses with security controls.

“It was decided by the board of management to make them operable,” Isaac said.