Companies May Be Granted Extension to Upgrade Buses

In early 2023, the Ministry of Transport introduced new standards for public transportation, setting age limits for various bus services. Road service permits would require premier buses to be no older than ten years, economy buses capped at twenty years, and rural buses at twenty-five years. Operators were expected to upgrade fifty percent of their fleet by December 2023 and fully update their entire fleet by the end of 2024. While efforts have been made to comply, bus operators have encountered challenges in meeting the proposed timeline, as Chief Transport Officer Leon Gentle explains.

 

Leon Gentle, Chief Transport Officer

“We did do an inspection last week. We are formulating that report and that report would be what helps us to make that decision as the way forward.”

 

Reporter

“So there is a possibility that the deadline might be extended?”

 

Leone Gentle

“There might be a possibility that it might be extended.”

 

Reporter

“What was maybe some of the major points of contention then from the bus operators?”

 

Leon Gentle

“Primarily the financial aspect of it. As you all know, we are trying to get them to transition to an upgraded buses. And the issue with that is finance. And so we have been working with them to be able to see how we can move that forward for them.”

 

Reporter

“But have they been putting in the effort?”

 

Leon Gentle

“They have been putting in the effort? That is something that is notable you would see. And I can say that from a standpoint of the registration of new buses. And so there has been an increase of that throughout the past couple of months, and we’ve seen where they have made their efforts in making that a possibility.”