William Ashby, Managing Director of LF System and Acting Division Chief of the Economic Infrastructure Division at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), recently addressed a forum focused on road congestion in the Caribbean. He highlighted the necessity of transforming the public transportation sector to make it more appealing for both commuters and operators.
Dr. Rae Julien Furlonge, a prominent Caribbean traffic engineer and transportation consultant, stated at the CDB event titled “Edge X by CDB: Unlocked – Stuck in Traffic: What Congestion Is Costing the Caribbean,” that public transport must be made ‘sexy’ to attract users. He emphasized that implementing a scheduled system for public buses is crucial. According to Dr. Furlonge, drivers need to receive adequate fares; otherwise, they may wait to fill their vehicles before departing.
He remarked, “Public transport could never become attractive without scheduling, and you can never get scheduling unless the drivers get a good fare.” Dr. Furlonge criticized the approach of maintaining lower fares, suggesting that managing the peak and low volume of commuters is essential for effective public transport administration and development.
He also advised against negotiating bus fares between operators and governing authorities, stating, “That’s not how it works.” He explained the importance of a structured system, including the concept of a ‘first mile’ from the bus terminal to the final stop.
William Ashby further noted that in a region where minibuses dominate public transport, there may be a need for increased regulation for the overall benefit. He mentioned that a regulatory framework should ensure fair compensation for small bus operators, allowing them to earn a reasonable income while also recognizing the necessary changes to improve the system’s efficiency and reliability.
Additionally, Dr. Furlonge pointed out that the mix of public transportation vehicles should be tailored to the communities they serve, taking into account various road users, including school children, and the importance of scheduling, as seen in St. Lucia.
Source: demerarawaves.com
