New bus option

Government is exploring a relationship with a local garage to help ease public transportation problems across Barbados.

Following Monday’s announcement by Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashley that private sector vehicles could be integrated into the public transport system, Courtesy Garage has offered a proposal to cater to some routes around Bridgetown.

Officials from Courtesy, including senior general manager Nicholas Mackie, showed Lashley and officials of the Transport Board a 30-seater bus yesterday which they said could adequately service some St Michael areas. The buses can be adapted to meet the physically challenged, holding about four wheelchairs.

“They offered a package in terms of assisting with some of the routes around Bridgetown [that cater to] senior citizens with problems relative to a scheduled service . . . . That is the way we want to go,” Lashley said after the tour.

He said careful consideration was being given to the proposal.

“We are not favouring any one company over the other. We accepted the invitation and the technical persons were satisfied with it and hopefully we will see what will come out of it.”

The minister said they were still drafting the policy and an interim committee was in place looking at the routes. (LK)