Mission Statement
“To be the principal provider of safe, reliable and efficient mass transit services and to consistently deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction to users of public transport in Barbados”
Motto
“You Are In Safe Hands With Us”
Profile of Transport Board
In June of 1955, the then Governor of Barbados, Sir Robert Duncan Harris Arundell, KCMG, approved draft legislation and the Transport Board was formed three months later by an Act of Parliament on August 24, 1955.
Before 1955, public transportation in Barbados was provided by a variety of public concessionaires, licensed by the Director of Highways and Transport to operate on specific routes. The private concessionaires were experiencing difficulties maintaining their bus fleets, and by September 1955, the Government of Barbados took over 116 buses from eight concessionaires. These buses were used by the newly established Transport Board on routes formerly held by the private concessionaires
The Beginnings
During the early years, the operation of the Transport Board was a learning experience for all. There was no provision for either housing or servicing of the vehicles and none of the offices in the Public Sector were familiar or had persons experienced in the management of a public transportation system.
Along with the older units inherited, the government was advised that forty new units would be required over the next four years in order to bring the service to an adequate level. After an injection of capital, it was felt by all concerned that the Board was now in a position to meet the needs of the traveling public.
The Present
The current Transport Board organization has left its humble beginnings behind to become a vital constituent to the economic development of Barbados. The Government is conscious of the fact that the economy of the country is driven by its workers and their ability to get to and from work is fundamental to fiscal security. A recent decision by the Government of Barbados has increased bus fares to $3.50 however with the introduction of the Travel Smart ticket by the Board, commuters can avail themselves of a reduced fare.
The Board continues to maintain a complete fleet inclusive of buses with wheelchair facilities for the disabled. The Board also has three terminals located at Fairchild Street, Bridgetown; Princess Alice Highway, St. Michael and Speightstown, St. Peter. A central staging depot is located at Mangrove, St. Philip, a sub-terminal at Oistins, Christ Church and its headquarters is located at Roebuck Street, Bridgetown.
The Board’s management team consists of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Manager, Financial Controller, Operations Manager, Accountant, Admin Officer and Quality Assurance Officer. Additionally, they are two Terminal Managers at the three terminals and the one depot. The organization is now operating on over seventy routes across the island covering 6000km daily, making public transportation accessible to as many persons as possible.
The Future
As the Transport Board looks towards the future, we are intent on lowering our overall operating costs as well as reducing harmful emissions. To this end, in the near future we will be adding electric buses to our fleet, which will be more efficient than the existing diesel buses as well as provide us with a competitive advantage.
Additionally, the decision has been made to introduce an Automatic Fare Collection system which will see our commuters using reloadable, smart cards. Not only will this significantly improve our customer service, but also usher in many features to create a much better experience for our customers.
