Public Transportation and the Disabled Community

2021 Mon, Mar 22

Did you know that the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live? As we recognize the issue of developmental disabilities awareness this month, the question of public transport becomes pertinent. We all agree that public transportation provides people with mobility and access to employment, community resources, medical care, and recreational opportunities. This is the same for all.

The Transport Board is cognizant of this and developed a paratransit service called the Call-A-Ride unit some time ago to assist with public transportation for persons who were differently able. Unfortunately over the last few years, this section of the Board’s services has encountered some challenges with resources.

Lack of reliable transportation is a major obstacle for people with disabilities, with some of them never leaving their homes simply because they lack a way to get around. Countless people with disabilities can’t reliably work, attend medical appointments or enjoy full independence. Unfortunately, lack of reliable transportation does not only keep people out of the workforce but also has far-reaching effects which can result in people being unable to contribute as taxpayers and as consumers.

We at the Transport Board realize this and have sought to address some of these challenges and with the recent purchase of the electric buses we have taken a step in the right direction. With the electric buses, we have now introduced wheelchair-accessible buses into the general route network.

These buses came with some features aimed specifically towards the differently able community and include the wheelchair ramp, an internal bus announcer system, kneeling technology, etc.

It is anticipated that these buses will assist in addressing some of the challenges identified above.

Until we are all able to live, work and move around freely we will always have a section of the community who do not get to live to their full potential. With the electric buses and the planned purchase of more, we are moving towards accessibility for all in the area of public transportation.

(From the office of the Chief Operations Officer)

Partnerships keep the wheels rolling

2021 Tue, Mar 09

BLPC donates sanitising dispensers to Transport Board. For more information, watch the clip below from Watts New Radio Extra Time, with featured guest Lynda Holder, Chief Operations Officer at Transport Board.

Directive for Travel on Public Transport in Barbados – Effective 1st March 2021

2021 Wed, Mar 03

Please be reminded that in accordance with the Emergency Management (Covid19) (Curfew) (No5) Directive 2021, as it relates to the provision of public transportation the following applies under Section 20 of the Directive:

All public service vehicles and motor omnibuses are limited to carrying 60% of their seated capacity;
The windows of public service vehicles shall remain open throughout the journey, except during inclement weather;
The instruction at #2 does not apply to those public service vehicles whose windows are sealed by the manufacturer;
The owner or driver of a public service vehicle shall ensure that the vehicle is sanitized after putting down passengers and before taking up new passengers at the motor omnibus depots and terminals as detailed below:
1. Mangrove Bus Depot;
2. Oistins Bus Depot;
3. Constitution Road Terminal;
4. Fairchild Street Terminal;
5. Princess Alice Terminal; and
6. Speightstown Terminal.
Drivers, conductors, and passengers are required to wear face masks for the entire length of the journey;
An owner or driver of a public service vehicle who fails to comply with any provision, in addition to the penalty provided by paragraph 26, is liable to have their license or permit suspended.

For clarity please note that Section 26 referenced above of the said Directive states that:

Any person who contravenes this Directive or fails to comply with any condition specified by the Chief Medical Officer or the Unit is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $50,000.00 or to imprisonment for a term of one year or to both pursuant to paragraph 15(1) of the Emergency Management (COVID-19) (No. 3) Order, 2020 (S.I. 2020 No. 71.)

(Extracted from Emergency Management (COVID-19) (CURFEW) (NO. 5) DIRECTIVE, 2021)

RUBIS assists Transport Board with sanitisers

2021 Tue, Mar 02

RUBIS continues to assist in the country’s fight against Covid-19. This time the energy company focused its efforts on making a donation to help to protect thousands of commuters who use the services of the Transport Board daily.

The donation was in the form of hand sanitising equipment to ensure that passengers safely sanitise their hands before embarking on the Board’s buses.

In making the presentation of 85 hand sanitiser units, Andrea Gooding, RUBIS marketing manager, explained: “We are committed to the fight against the spread of Covid-19 and this includes protecting those who ride the vital bus service each day.

We recognise that persons need to travel safely and whilst masks are now mandatory, the additional ability to sanitise one’s hands offers extra protection.

By having hand sanitising units at the terminals and on buses, we are offering additional measures to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 and helping passengers and bus drivers to remain safe.”

Lynda Holder, chief operations officer of the Transport Board accepted the donation from RUBIS, which also included a supply of hand sanitiser solution and batteries for the units, valued at $17,000.

She said they were pleased to partner with RUBIS in this initiative aimed at reducing the spread of the virus.

“To have been able to place these dispensers in the highly trafficked areas associated with public transportation such as on the buses and in the terminals, offers many persons an additional measure of safety.

“This gesture from RUBIS was truly appreciated and will go a long way in assisting with our ongoing fight against this virus,” Holder said.

The recent presentation would benefit over 30,000 commuters with the sanitising units having been placed on the majority of the electric buses and depot gates.

(Extracted from an article in Barbados Today)

Hand sanitising dispenser unit on an electric bus

COO Lynda Holder testing one of the Rubis dispensers