The Transport Board is very happy with the performance of its fleet of electric buses.
In fact, said Chief Operating Officer, Lynda Holder, they are so happy with the buses that they have purchased another 14 to add to the 33 imported last year. These additional units are expected in the island in a few months.
She told the House of Assembly this afternoon during debate on the 2021-22 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure that there had been no mechanical or electrical problems since the buses were pressed into service.
Holder said the buses had been well received by the disabled community, who had been consulted before the purchase, which resulted in such facilities as wheelchair ramps and buses that kneel to facilitate easy access by persons with mobility challenges.
One issue still to be addressed, she said, is the quietness of the buses, but the presence of Wi Fi facilities and GPS allows the board to know exactly where each bus is at any time.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Transport Board, Fabian Wharton, revealed that with the presence of these buses and the inclusion of private operators under the Transport Augmentation Programme, the board is now making major adjustments to its routes to better serve the needs of commuters.
The board has introduced a Bathsheba to Gall Hill service to facilitate persons from the eastern corridor who wish to take advantage of the extended opening hours of the David Thompson Polyclinic in St. John, along with the “southern circle” route that starts and end in Oistins, covering much of Christ Church and St. Philip in the process.
Barbadians are also benefitting from a new route Holetown to Bayley’s Primary School in St. Philip as well as a service that travels through Orange Hill in St. James and Mount Brevitor in St. Peter.
According to the CEO, these new routes are designed to reduce commuting time and increase national productivity.