TASI project to be extended

GIVEN the huge success of the Transport Authority Service Integration (TASI), the Ministry of Transport and Works will be looking at enhancing this project.

This was revealed by the Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Lashley, who spoke to the media after the ‘Transport Authority Service Integration (TASI) of Public Transport in Barbados Community Presentation’ on Saturday evening, at the St. David’s Anglican Church.

Stating that the meeting went well, with commuters voicing their concerns on a number of issues which they believe impact on them when it comes to using public service vehicles (PSVs) and private sector vehicles, he added that he, along with the persons from his Ministry and the other stakeholders, would now go back to the table and discuss all of the issues that were raised at the meeting, and see how they can move forward collectively.

“So we have to answer the call and we have to go back to the drawing table and see how we can fashion it in accordance with their feelings this evening. But I am pleased with the outcome. I am also very, very overjoyed by the response thus far from the commuters. I think that once we satisfy the commuters, then I think that the project is really working,” he said.

The Minister continued: “I think that some of the components from the model, particularly the training of the private sector players, allowing them to work with the Transport Authority and also to work with the Transport Board and to build standards and to enhance standards going forward, and really to enhance the reputation and also to really build a positive perception of the private sector players in the transport system, [are great].”

In fact, such is the satisfaction that commuters from other areas are calling for the project to also be implemented in their areas.

“We have gotten calls from other places... commuters from other routes, for the extension of the TASI project onto their routes, and we are looking at that. I think that we are now about reaching the six months, so I think that we can now look at modifying it, look at extending it, and also I am asking other private sector players to get involved with this TASI project.”