Bus fare to increase

Barbadians have been told bus fares will increase.
However, Minister of Transport, Works and Maintenance Dr William Duguid says the government has not yet decided what that cost will be.
Outlining his ministry’s plans for the next financial year in Parliament during the estimates debate last evening, the minister revealed they were exploring their options and have given the assurance that they won’t be increasing the fare without considering improvements to roads and the public transport service.

Minister Duguid says the proposed 88 million dollar budget outlined for his ministry will tackle a number of on-going issues.
He has revealed that the money allocated was not only to purchase around 120 electric buses for the Transport Board, but to hire 17 additional mechanics at the ministry’s depot, buy new equipment for the Licensing Authority, and acquire new drainage pumps for some flood-prone areas in the country.

Minister of Transport, Works and Maintenance William Dr Duguid

Meantime Chairman of the Transport Board Gregory Nicholls has been explaining why some of the routes being serviced by the Board have been facing longs delays, while others are not.