Authorities have set a January 2015 timeline for the full integration of public service vehicles (PSVs) with Transport Board buses.
That announcement was made today by Minister of Transport Michael Lashley, who said a committee had already been established to look into the matter.
He said the members have been discussing the potential challenges.
“There will be some questions asked about bus availability particularly along some routes. The point is though . . . there would still be challenges; challenges existed from the inception so what we have to do is to minimize those challenges and that is what we are working on,” he said.
Lashley was speaking to the media during a tour of the Speightstown and Princess Alice bus terminals.
Minister of Transport Michael Lashley (centre) with corporate communications specialist at Transport Board Lynda Holder (left) and acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport Donna Cadogan.
The Minister Transport said “minor issues” were identified at the Princess Alice Bus Terminal, which is already earmarked for refurbishment.
He said the Ministry of Finance had been engaged to fast-track the process.
As it related to the Speightstown Bus Terminal, Director of Transport at the Transport Authority Alex Linton said several proposals were being considered to improve the facility.
“We have to take into consideration the health of, not only the commuters, but the operators who ply their business at the terminal so that would definitely be on the cards.
“We’re in discussion with one or two individuals trying to see how we could do it. We started the process last year but obviously we will continue this year as well,” he told the media.
“We’re going to look at greening as an option and paving the area to stop the dust from blowing about and affecting persons. Also, we will look at the economic opportunities. If we pave it we will probably look at putting more vendors so that they could ply their trade and encourage entrepreneurship,” Linton added.
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