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We are taking all necessary steps to address this issue. Thank you for your vigilance and support. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us directly.
We are pleased to announce the introduction of a cashless payment system for bus fares, making your travel with us more convenient and efficient.
This new system will be done in phases, starting with Phase 1: Travel for Old Age Pensioners.
From 1st December 2024, old-age pensioners will be able to tap their Trident ID card and go. If this card is not registered/pinned they still present it to the driver and he will validate their travel on his tablet. If they don’t have the Trident ID card, then they can show their previously issued card and the driver will still validate their travel. Either way, THEY STILL TRAVEL FOR FREE BY JUST SHOWING THEIR EXISTING BARBADOS NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD.
Here is What You Need to Know:
How It Works: Simply tap your card on the payment device as you board the bus.
Why Cashless? It’s faster, safer, and more convenient for both passengers and drivers.
How to Get Your Card: Pensioners will be able to apply for their free cashless travel card at any of our cashiers if they don’t wish to use their Trident ID card.
We’re committed to ensuring a smooth transition for everyone. Additional phases will expand cashless payments to all passengers in the coming months.
Lynda Holder, Chief Operating Officer speaks on Mornin’ Barbados about cashless on board the buses. We will be rolling out this new program from 1 December 2024. We will start with our pensioners.
The Transport Board invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced individuals to manage the Finance Department allowing for the timely and efficient reporting of the financial operations of the Transport Board and to establish and maintain effective financial management systems and procedures including budgeting, cost control, auditing, and revenue collection.
Effective 2nd April 2024, the following changes will be made to the Boscobelle and Indian Ground services:
The Boscobelle service on its outbound journey from Bridgetown would be routed through Clarke’s Road into the Whim. The bus would continue onto Highway 2A and rejoin its normal route from Mile & A Quarter.
The Indian Ground service would no longer travel via Clarke’s Gap and the Whim. This service would travel via Station Hill, turn and cover Mount Brevitor return to Mile & A Quarter and continue on its normal route.
Please note that if these services have to be combined, the existing combined route will be used. The management of the Transport Board apologises for any inconvenience caused as we seek to improve our service delivery
Do you have the credentials to be a Board Secretary? Are you interested in joining our team on a contractual basis? Click on the link below for further details and the deadline for submission of an application
As the Chief Operations Officer of the Barbados Transport Board, I was thrilled to be a part of the realization of a vision that goes beyond the realm of transportation. On 18th January 2024, we joined with other partners to highlight a branding addition to the message of sustainable development goals, and we did so on a vehicle that can be powered by renewable energy.
The Sustainable Development Goals, as outlined by the United Nations, serve as a compass for global efforts to address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity. The design on the bus serves as a visual reminder of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, each represented with pride. From eradicating poverty to ensuring gender equality, from promoting clean energy to fostering responsible consumption – this bus encapsulates our pledge to contribute meaningfully to a better world.
We invite our passengers, partners, and stakeholders to join us in this collective effort towards sustainable development. By choosing to travel with us, passengers are not only reaching their destination; they are actively participating in a movement that aims to create positive change.
(see press release below from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office at the launch of the branded bus)
Ten additional electric buses parked at the Bridgetown Port in Barbados. Photo compliments AlwynKirkPhotos
The Barbados Transport Board now has 10 additional electric buses, which brings its electric vehicle fleet to 59.
The buses, which were procured under the Ministry of Energy and Business’ Sustainable Energy Investment Programme (Smart Fund II), were taken from the Port of Bridgetown to the Weymouth Depot, last Friday.
Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Business, Keisha Reid, explained that the Sustainable Energy Investment Programme is geared towards implementing a number of renewable energy and energy efficient initiatives to help the public sector become more energy efficient and sustainable, as well as enhance Barbados’ competitive position.
“It also seeks to reduce Barbados’ fossil fuel usage through the piloting of fully battery electric buses as part of the fleet of the Barbados Transport Board. We have purchased 10 electric buses – five large buses and five medium-sized buses to manoeuvre on our smaller roads.
“Electric vehicles offer an opportunity for Government to significantly reduce its consumption of fossil fuels for transportation and meet overall policy objectives. This is especially true of high-use vehicles, such as the buses of the Transport Board,” Ms. Reid said.
The Sustainable Energy Investment Programme (Smart Fund II) is being co-financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through a US$30 million loan, and a European Union (EU) grant of €13.26 million.
IDB Country Representative in Barbados, Viviana Alva Hart, said the procurement of the buses showed Government’s commitment to building a greener future.
Ms. Hart continued: “The addition of these electric buses is about not only increasing the use of new technologies, but also demonstrates the commitment of the Government of Barbados to building a greener and more sustainable future for the country.
“The IDB is proud to be a regional leader in decarbonisation, including transportation through electromobility. Through the financing and support of this project, we continue to invest in the environmental sustainability of the Caribbean, fostering innovation, and creating new opportunities for the local workforce.“
An EU official stated that the European Union was honoured to partner with the Ministry of Energy and Business and the IDB in supporting the Transport Board in the further electrification of its bus fleet.
The spokesperson added: “The EU commends the work being done by the Government of Barbados, which has become a leader in the region in the electrification of its bus fleet. The inclusion of these 10 buses to the existing electric fleet will allow the Government to further reduce its consumption of fossil fuels in the transportation sector, while enhancing energy resilience in the public sector.”
The official from the Barbados Transport Board stated: “In 2019, when the decision to purchase electric buses was made, it was new technology and we were all learning how this would affect the public transport industry in Barbados. What was not at that time envisioned was how it would contribute to the country’s position as it relates to addressing the issues associated with climate change.”
The representative continued: “The Government’s commitment to achieving sustainable energy, and by extension the Transport Board’s efforts in creating an operational environment that utilises as much as possible clean energy, is seen here with the addition of these 10 buses. The Barbados Transport Board is pleased to have been one of the recipients of funding from the SMART Energy Fund that allows us to continue to work towards that goal.”
The Ministry of Energy and Business contracted Megapower Limited in a joint venture with BYD de Panamá S.A. to import the buses, which were manufactured in China.
Commuters making use of the Transport Augmentation Programme (TAP) are being encouraged to know their rights. This is from Chief Operations Officer of the Transport Board, Lynda Holder who stressed that persons over the age of 65 years old and school children in uniform are exempt from paying bus fare on board TAP vehicles. She further emphasized that it was against the rules of the Transport Board for persons to be charged based on the number of packages they take on board.
Mrs Holder said it had been brought to their attention that some TAP operators were charging persons who are over 65 years of age. She explained that by law, persons in this category are allowed to travel free of charge on board any public service vehicle operated by the Transport Board once a valid identification card is produced. She added that the same rule applies to school children, once the students are in uniform and/or produce a valid form of ID, they are not required to pay bus fare.
In addition, members of The Barbados Police Service along with staff of the Transport Board are also allowed to ride free of charge on TAP vehicles, once they produce the relevant identification. “The TAP operator is supposed to take note of the commuters on their way bills, submit this information to the Transport Board and then we, in turn, will invoice the relevant ministries,” Mrs Holder disclosed.
Commuters have also complained about being charged for the number of packages that they take on the bus. Mrs Holder once again emphasizes that this is against the rules and policies of the Transport Board.
“What we ask passengers to do, out of consideration for the size of the vehicle, [is] that they be considerate to their fellow travellers, and if you have more than two or three packages, you find a way of storing them closer to you to allow other persons to be able to access either the seats or passageway for safe travel,” she said.
The Chief Operations Officer said despite the complaints, there has been positive feedback about the Transport Augmentation Programme.
She noted that many of the operators are courteous and have been adequately servicing their routes. The TAP has also improved the Transport Board’s ability to meet its customer demand through the provision of additional units, Holder said.
“The programme was implemented to assist the Transport Board in covering the areas and routes that they could not cover because of their limitations” she explained.
TAP comprises sub-contracted public service vehicles, which operate under the rules and regulations of the Transport Board. (KS/PR/MTWW)
