Public bus service may not be feasible in VI – taxi operator
Hon. Fraser, the then Communications and Works Minister, had erected the first bus sign in expectation of the bus service. File Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Due to the small population and the copious amount of vehicles in the Territory, a public bus service may not be feasible opined a taxi operator at the meeting held on Monday January 9, 2012 between taxi and livery operators and Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool.
The community bus service was introduced with the implementation of the 2009 Road Traffic Regulations under the previous Government, the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), who had viewed the service as an answer to the needs of those travellers that desired an affordable, clean and reliable transportation system throughout Tortola.
However, the taxi operator pointed out that “too many persons have their own vehicle and those who don’t want to catch rides. So if we don’t have enough people to drive, who are we going to drive?”
But while Hon. Vanterpool did not disclose his views on the matter as yet, the previous Minister and 3rd district representative Hon. Julian Fraser had already set up at least one bus stop sign in anticipation of the initiative in 2010.
The sign was erected on the Blackburne Highway adjacent to the BVI Ports Authority.
The then Minister at a simple ceremony on February 24, 2010 had stated, “Public transportation is something that every country should have; it is what moves people throughout the community.”
12 Responses to “Public bus service may not be feasible in VI – taxi operator”
Leave a Reply
Follow Us On
Related posts
Popular Tags
Recent Comments
- $$$$$$$ on Government should reserve jobs for Virgin Islanders – Wheatley
- say again on VI pilots lobbying for national airline
- old man on Ottley’s hat trick inspires Islanders
- -------------------- on BFEC parent complaint on principal can be personal – says PTA President
- ll on UPDATE – Four charged in Baughers Bay cannabis find
So a taxi driver who wants $20 to take 4 people form the ferry dock to fort burt thinks a cheaper more eco friendly method of transport won’t work, well he must be right!
I believe some people may consider parking their cars (at least part of the time..when its just back and forth from work), and save on gas if they know they have a reliable service to depend on.
Sounds like taxi man is a bit perturbed that he will lose potential clients for his ridiculous prices. Poor thing.
The Bus idea is a good thing and i give frazer credit for thinking outside the book. its people like him we need in power…poor people need that service Yall!
Of course we need more people like him, what would our road network be without visionaries like Fraser? Round about stop lights and bus stop signs in the bushes with no roads, we need him back ASAP, how will we survive without him? **vomit**
TO REAL TALK AKA MYRON: hWhy the held funny man aint stay in England he flew first class wasting w tax payers $$$$$ and spend all day blogging on VINO. But he aint going get to stop we sea cows bay party as nobody have respect for he garot backside…Fraser we love you and support you and you born here so Real talk scatter your anti- ass!…now the country broke and thinking of he in first class mek the country want to VOMIT with shame
This comment is totall unnecessary
Of course you can have a bus service in a country of this size. My brother lives in a village of about 2,000 people in England and they manage to have a bus service there, even though petrol is much more expensive. One of the reasons the BVI’s economy languishes is because of poor infrastructure. Zero public transportation does not help.
This is GREED pure and simple!
I agree with you Greed, because some of these same taxi drivers do not want to drop you where you live and if they drop you off the main road they charge you extra. And the only time you see them looking the same people that will benefit from they bus service is when it off season ands they want to charge you the cruise ship price. Some of them only taxiing when cruise ship in. Them sit on the taxi stand them and talk people business all day. So them need to check the way they do taxi business, talking bull bout it do not need a bus service, somebody shoulda slap he hard.
Wellsaw, this man can’t be good in his head. I wonder if he realize the only reason so many people sacrifice and buy their own car IS BECAUSE THERE IS NO RELIABLE BUS SERVICE OR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN THE BVI!!! Build it and they will come, it will work in this instance. I know many people that don’t care to drive, especially the many expats that live here. Where they’re from they hardly drive, they catch the bus, train etc. If they had the option, they won’t buy their own vehicles. The only people that would be against this are the gas stations, car dealers and of course, the greedy 100% tax free taxi man! LOL!
I agree a bus service would be a good idea. But what has happened to the VITRAN bus services in St Thomas? They dont seem to be operating any more? Its either catch a safari $1 (or plus) bus, or make a mistake and pay $10 from ferry dock to hospital, often with an unlicenced driver.