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Gov’t develops policy to regularize public transport

The meeting, facilitated in depth discussions about the preparation and actions that would be needed to design a system that can accommodate the needs of residents and visitors alike, fully considering the geographical spread of the islands. Photo: GIS
Acting Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mr Andrew St. Hilaire, outlines the progress made by the Ministry in the development of the plan at a recent meeting with a number of key stakeholders in transportation. Photo: GIS
Acting Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mr Andrew St. Hilaire, outlines the progress made by the Ministry in the development of the plan at a recent meeting with a number of key stakeholders in transportation. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The government of the Virgin Islands (VI) is gearing to regularize its public transportation with discussions underway for the development of a Territorial Transportation Policy and Emergency Response Plan.

Acting Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mr Andrew St. Hilaire—in a Government Information Service (GIS) press statement, yesterday March 27, 2019—outlined the progress made by the Ministry in the development of the plan, at a recent meeting with a number of key stakeholders in transportation.

According to St Hilaire, “we have been working to establish plans to improve the bus service throughout Tortola but we are aware that a multi-modal transportation is inevitable for the Territory which will allow greater accessibility to the islands throughout the Territory.”

Bus Stops

He stated that works have started including identifying some 84 bus stops, designs for the various types of stops, the times and frequencies for the buses and the various controls and regulatory requirements that would be needed, including scheduling and fares.

 “We are aware that the policy must take into consideration various aspects of transportation through public and private endeavours.  We will develop a policy that addresses the issues related to national security, globalisation, deregulation and privatisation and trends in transportation systems, as well as the various instruments that will help to support and sustain a Territorial Transportation System,” Mr. St. Hillarie further explained.

The meeting, according to the GIS statement, facilitated in depth discussions about the preparation and actions that would be needed to design a system that can accommodate the needs of residents and visitors alike, fully considering the geographical spread of the islands. 

Emergencies

Director of the Department for Disaster Management (DDM), Ms. Sharleen S. DaBreo, MBE explained that the policy and plan would be necessary to guide the further development of emergency procedures that would be needed in the event of major emergencies occurring within the transportation network.

According to Ms DaBreo said, “We have therefore reached out to the Emergency Management Accreditation Programme (EMAP) to guide this discussion so that we are aware of the standards that would be needed for the development of these procedures.”

The team from EMAP will provide further clarity on what will be needed to fully develop the Virgin Islands Territorial Transportation Policy and Plan.

A draft of the Transport Policy is expected to be presented to Cabinet within three months and will include recommendations on the development of an appropriate set of concepts and proposals that can be established to support the functioning and performance of a Territorial Public Transportation system.

6 Responses to “Gov’t develops policy to regularize public transport”

  • WHAT!!! (28/03/2019, 10:53) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Fantastic , VIP have hit the ground running, please keep up the great work.
  • RealPol (28/03/2019, 11:13) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    “stated that works have started including identifying some 84 bus stops, designs for the various types of stops, the times and frequencies for the buses and the various controls and regulatory requirements that would be needed, including scheduling and fares.” 84 bus stops! Really.
  • right track (28/03/2019, 13:24) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good going! The information states that it is the development of a "Territorial" Transportation Policy and Emergency Response Plan, therefore, my understanding is that the 84 bus stops are spread out around the main islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. Thanks VIP Government for recognizing that the BVI consists of more than one (1) island. And we are all sister islands.
  • ---------------- (28/03/2019, 14:13) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am happy Feb 25, 2019 I charged my vote to VIP
  • Wendy (28/03/2019, 17:18) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    My memory reminds me that during the past reign of this party, bus stop signs were erected but the buses were phantom. Poor tourists and yours truly too would wait and wait in the hot sun. I kept thinking that I had missed the bus.
    Great and much needed but seeing is believing for me.
  • Hit the nail on the head (29/03/2019, 05:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Develop routes and then invite taxi associations to provide regular scheduled routes with promise of subsidy for the driver salary only and this will ensure that malls outside of town, the hotel and other just above minimum wage staff get to work at a reasonable price and through a convenient way. We need to make it official left hand drive vehicles except for commercial buses transporting passengers. It is a hazard to the motoring public. Collect disposal fee including for heavy equipment for their removal when they become derelict. Invite persons to manage the Sea Cows Bay derelict vehicle site as a business for reuse of parts from cars that are still good.


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