Bus Upgrades Due in Six Months

The deadline for the bus operators to come on stream with their upgraded fleets of buses is December. That’s six months from now. But the stringent regulations that were being imposed on the operators will not be so bad after all. Today, Minister Ferguson said that once the operators follow the basic requirements, they will be allowed to run, but one of those rules is to have adequate seating spaces on their buses.

 

Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport

“I can tell you that some operators are already making some upgrades.  I will not come down that’s stiff as we had initially. We recognize that they can’t afford to buy a bus for $120,000. All we’re asking them now is to make sure they have a good engine, they have good tires, make sure they have a jack, make sure they have a spare tire, so when they go on the highway, then they’ll be able to have a more comfortable and more better ride. The last time I was in a bus on Marine Parade, I personally sat down in the bus, and I said the most comfortable space is 16 and a half inches. So when I sat down, 16 and a half inches of space, I didn’t knock on the back of the other seat.”

 

Marion Ali

“Okay, but what kind of enforcement, what kind of monitoring is being done to ensure that the rules and regulations that you put on paper is actually being followed out there practically.”

 

Rodwell Ferguson

“Give me up to December 21st, 2024, and I’m going to see the reinforcements with the seating arrangement, likewise.”