Barbados’ public transportation system received a major boost today with the arrival of 35 new electric buses.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Works, Santia Bradshaw, spoke at the Bridgetown Port this morning as the buses departed for the Transport Board’s Weymouth, Roebuck Street, St. Michael, headquarters.
She said the addition was part of the government’s ongoing investment in creating a more reliable and efficient, modern public transportation system.
Bradshaw mentioned that the purchase of the 35 buses – sourced as part of the government’s continued procurement efforts following a previous donation of 30 electric buses from the People’s Republic of China – brought the fleet to 121 and represented an investment of around $21 million.
“From the time that we came to office in 2018, the government made a commitment to ensure that while we still supported with a sum of about $6 million into the existing diesel fleet, we would work towards being able to modernise and to purchase electric buses. We embarked on that journey over the last few years. The expenditure that we have made to date is close to $58 million since 2018 to ensure that we have a more efficient service that we can deliver to the general public,” she said.
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted that public concerns, particularly in the Scotland District and central areas, motivated the expansion. She added that their focus was also on providing reliable service for elderly residents and schoolchildren.
“We have continued to make a priority out of our elderly population, as well as making sure that our school children are able to get to and from school.”
Bradshaw explained that full deployment would take several weeks, as the buses required registration, charging, cashless payment system installation, and digital route mapping.
She added that the government planned to advertise by way of a request for proposals for a dedicated school bus system in January. (AM)
The post Transport Board welcomes 35 new electric buses appeared first on nationnews.com.
