Trini maxies
With The two geographers both being
a resident of Barbados we decided that we should do a bit comparison between
the country of Barbados and Trinidad’s transportation systems. As locals for
many years we have been frustrated with the transport system in Barbados but
coming to another country it has open the eyes of us to realise that we have it
pretty good in the nation of Barbados. From research it was observed that it
has been stated that Barbados transportation system should be a model to
implement within the West Indies, although quit impress by this reading. Like
all countries the Transportation system has it flaws such as in the Bus
Terminals located in the City of Bridgetown known as the Princess Alice
Terminal and Fare Child Street Bus Terminal often send the buses very late and
disrupt persons schedules and with the size of the country there is no Priority
Bus Route which means traffic is a major issue faced by these vehicles
especially during Rush Hour.
In Trinidad it has been observed
that many persons in business attire are not on the maxi’s or even the sound of
foreign voices buzzing with excitement. In Barbados it is customary to see
tourist late at nights getting off buses to walk to their hotels or a working
persons in their fancy suits taking the public buses, “ZR’s” or mini vans to
get to their destination. This can do due to the public transit being so user
friendly and comfortable. Sometimes it is even so funny when the conductors in
these vehicles put on funny accents just to impress the tourists. According to
the Barbados Transport Board one many not find the higher income on the bus,
because it’s not seen as the cultural thing to do but you will find the lower
and middle class here in Barbados. However, here in Trinidad many persons own a
car no matter the class, but an exception was seen that caught us by surprise
where out lecturer Priya Kaysoon takes public transport daily to get around
instead of having a car.
Lynda Holder stated that some of the
Caribbean countries including Trinidad and Tobago have contacted the Barbados
Transport Board to learn more about way to improve their own public transport
systems. If one may wonder what is such the big deal about the system in
Barbados it is very structured and functional for the use of daily patrons in
the city.
Firstly, there is a standardised
fare which is two Barbadian which is equivalent to about 6 Trinidadian dollars,
this fare is to carry a person anywhere in Barbados no matter the distance. Was
a bit shocked when I came to Trinidad and hearing person telling the driver
they came from short and from a particular stop.
The Late hours, the first bus leaves
the terminal at 5 a.m. and the last public bus leaves the terminal at 12 a.m. but
that doesn’t account for the private transport which runs to very late hours.
This is where persons are encouraged now to take the public bus because it
accommodates for many persons working schedule.
Lastly the signage where the Bus
stop indicated to patrons where there are “Going into the City” or “Out of the
city”. This mechanism is very helpful to persons especially tourist that
frequently our island rapidly. Prevents persons from being lost.
It has been extraordinary
being introduced to different cities and cultures and being able to see the
difference each country proposes.
Happy Reading J
Source
http://www.transportboard.com/
Kaysoon? Harumph!
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