During his budget contribution on Monday, June 12, Minister of Transport and Local Government, the Hon. Frankie Campbell said that the government would continue to pursue the bus unification system. The initiative was introduced under the former, PLP, administration.

He said that this initiative is expected to facilitate economic activity by relieving congestion on the streets of New Providence, and serve as a ‘blueprint’ for what is to occur on other major Family Islands.

The government is now collaborating with representatives of the ground transportation industry to make this project a reality,” said Minister Campbell, adding a milestone has been reached in the valuation of the industry itself and there is movement forward slowly but progressively with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) towards the implementation of a pilot project in preparation for full unification.

He said that the Ministry of Transport, via the IDB, published terms of reference (TOR) for interested companies to submit expression of interest (EOI) in managing the day-to-day operations of the pilot program.

“Three companies have responded, and the Ministry and the IDB are soon to engage in discussions with respect to the identification of the company selected to move the project forward,” said Mr. Campbell.

He added that the IDB has granted $500,000 to assist with the implementation of the pilot project and the Ministry of Finance has budgeted $230,000; the pilot project is expected to commence shortly on the island of New Providence.

“I spoke on this unification project in light of the fact that governments are continuous,” he said. “This is a project that we met in place and I am prepared to advance with this project.”

By Betty Vedrine

Bahamas Information Services