Health and safety grievances have piled up for public transport workers, according to Shadow Transport Minister Lawrence Scott, who has accused Government of “foot dragging and mismanagement”.

However, Transport Minister Shawn Crockwell called the allegations inaccurate and said Mr Scott was engaging in political point-scoring.

The remarks came as Mr Scott accused the minister of inaction on the issue of violence against bus drivers, as well as the installation of security cameras in public buses.

“Driver safety is our main priority,” Mr Crockwell responded. “There are currently 15 new buses with security cameras and all future buses will be equipped with cameras. In addition, in 2012 the Omnibus (Conduct) Regulations were amended to broaden the offences for which charges could be laid against individuals who target public transport workers.”

He also disputed the Opposition contention that up to half of buses were out of service because of a lack of spare parts to take care of issues with air conditioning and overheating.

Mr Scott listed infrastructure problems, such as flooding in the Department of Public Transportation’s men’s room and a “stench of sewage in the lunchroom” — as well as one worker falling through the rest room floor in the Dockyard facility as a result of its weakening from flooding. Additionally, the St George’s facility was said to be infested with centipedes.

The Progressive Labour Party MP called on the minister to “face the problem and address these legitimate and pressing concerns”.

Mr Crockwell conceded that flooding had been an issue for the men’s rooms during rain, but the leak had been repaired. Water damage is still awaiting repairs by Public Works.

Odours at the North Shore headquarters come from the Tynes Bay Waste Treatment facility and occur “infrequently when the winds are out of the Northwest”.

The minister said he was unaware of a centipede infestation, but said a worker had fallen through the rest room floor in Dockyard. The latter issue was “in the process of being resolved and a contractor has been identified to make the necessary repairs”.

“Additionally, Mr. Scott’s allegation about 50 per cent of buses being out of service is also inaccurate. There is a backlog of repair work, some of which requires time consuming diagnostic work and assistance from the manufacturer’s technical representatives who are currently on Island.

“Out of a fleet of 112 buses there are currently 42 that are being serviced and we are confident that with the assistance of the technicians from overseas we will make significant progress. However, it is important to stress that there has been very little disruption of service as a result of these buses being out of service.”