Reports that government is preparing to discuss privatizing the Transport Board with the Barbados Workers Union (BWU) are circulating widely on social media. The speculation is being driven by images that Barbados Underground cannot verify. To date, Minister of Transport Santia Bradshaw has offered no official response.
The silence is telling. The public waits for further information.
(Thanks to Artax for the heads-up)
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A food for thought comment @artax.
Bush Tea
November 17, 2025 at 11:37 am
“and why would they qualify to OVERSEE a new arrangement being paid for by private investors?
…and if the PROBLEM is an incompetent TB, why not FIX THAT problem up front – rather than come up with nebulous shiite proposals”
You keep insinuating operational incompetence is the issue. The Transport Board problems has persisted across different administrations. I do not get a sense that incompetence is the issue anymore so than what you would get with statutory corporations. The “simple” issue being addressed is operational cost.
Consider that this govt has bought buses from day one after 10 years of the DLP not buying any. Straight off the bat, fleet replacement is the first issue to be dealt with. More buses would have to be bought to improve service quality i.e. the regularity buses ply the route. The buses have a purchase price, operational and maintenance cost. (BTW, the rational given to purchase electric buses was that the maintenance cost over the live is far lower than with diesel buses. Also BEV drivetrains are far more suitable for regular mass transit as there is less mechanical parts that can break down)
The TAP system has given govt the opportunity to shed and virtually spread the purchase, operational and maintenance costs on to multiple private operators if the TB will no longer purchase buses.
The next benefit is bus maintenance and repair would have a less crippling effect on service quality. If a bus is down the TB can engage more private operators or allow current contracted operators more time to service the routes.
@Disgusting…
What is it – when incompetence converge with insolvency. Then there is a race to nowhere, fast!
Hal Austin used to say that the problem of Barbados was incompetence and not corruption.
I will die believing that our incompetence is a clever mask corruption.
@DavidBU and the answer to solve incompetence and inefficiency in a state company always seems to privatize it entirely. Privatizing the TB entirely is not going to benefit the masses and would be political suicide for any administration that do.
Artax picked up that the proposal includes both TB and TA workers indicating that the BMTA would encompass the the TA. It is interesting how the BMTA would handle TAP vehicles and PSVs.
One benefit would be improving route servicing and operating efficiency. PSVs can continue the heavy lifting during the peak hours in routes like Bush Hall, Silver sands, Gall Hill, Bridgetown to Speightstown. The TAP buses would be biased to serving all routes on less peak times with a minimum hourly service.
@DLPTV who charges…
“Bushie… You keep insinuating operational incompetence is the issue. The Transport Board problems has persisted across different administrations.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIS IS NOT TRUE!!!
“Insinuate” shiite!!! …LOL
Bushie has CONSISTENTLY INSISTED (NOT insinuated) that incompetence is the issue… NOT ONLY AT TB, but it is endemic to Brassbados. CURSE induced, and REPRESENTED by an ALTAR that we built on the damn Garrison.
Why you think we BREK??!!
The low point USED to be between when the DLP came up with the plan to;
-Buy Almond,
-PAY massively to knock it down,
-Borrow FOREX to build it back,
-…and then GIVE it to a foreigner…
…and when Stinkliar sold the top performing Light & Power to emera, so that he had money to pay off Four Season’s debts to lawyers and investors.
BUT THEN…
The BLP has gone on to MASH UP this ‘idiot’ record multiple times… most recently with this Transport Board nonsense of;
-Changing from old reliable and tested DEISEL busses to new, expensive UNTESTED electric prototypes that use EVEN MORE fossil fuel (burnt by BL&P) and are UNSUITED for our roads.
-Running the operation with ZERO vision – that allows ZR to rape the lucrative routes, while TB units drives around empty
-Then, when the Treasury finally is BROKE, they then seek to sell the prototype, untested, battery powered, pilot project units to the hapless drivers who will all go bankrupt like the chump Trump.
Most amazingly, the BLP can find persons on BU, to actually SUPPORT this jobby…!
Please note that NOT A BOY in authority has put his or her name to this folly – for fear of being branded as Ossie Moore #2.
steupsssss!!
Only a good BUSH BATH can save our donkeys now…
…along with prayers, fasting, and sack clothes…
What a place!!
@ DLPTV
Boss, did you follow Curacao’s recent qualification for the football world cup finals?
Population – 160,000, LESS THAN HALF BRASSBADOS.
Business – Tourism too
Difference:
Not overwhelmed with BRASS BOWLS, but with serious, sane, hardworking people.
Compare ANYTHING about them, with bout here…
Our shiite team can’t even beat drums…
BUT our ‘administrators’ are PERMANENTLY in place – DESPITE YEARS of shiite results… like the TB.
All we do well is have a lotta poor, broke, ‘regular callers’ on brass tacks every damn day talking shiite and complaining – when they THEMSELVES NEVER accomplished one shiite in their lives… on BU too… 🙂
NOTE that the Jamaican team coach RESIGNED, after failing to beat Curacao – getting ONLY a draw, and placing SECOND in the group… This is a TOP coach yuh!!!
Our shiite coaches and their bosses just make excuses, blame the players, and hang around to do more shiite…
Talking bout INCOMPETENCE!!!
It is endemic, ingrained, and sustained.
You ever see a BUM who actually THINKS that he is smart and wise – because he OWNS NOTHING, contributes nothing, …and has nothing to look forward to…?
…and always full of shiite talk – like Ninja Man… while begging in order to eat…
What a curse!!
What a place!!
No wonder Ninja wanted dipper’s waistcoat…
@ DL&P TV
As usual, you’ve made some very rational and interesting points on this topic.
I agree with you that the fundamental issues are TB’s maintenance and operational costs. However, although, as you’ve correctly indicated, TB’s problems persisted across successive BLP and DLP administrations, we must also consider the INCOMPETENCY of government and those individuals appointed as general managers as well.
In MY opinion, the demise of TB began on May 1st, 1976, when then PM Barrow announced the introduction of a 25¢ standardised bus fare to IMMEDIATELY replace stage fares, by MONTH-END, which I believe was not a well thought through election gimmick.
The Auditor General’s 2019 special audit of TB provided Barbadians with SEVERAL EXAMPLES of government’s and management’s incompetence.
As it relates to the TAP, you are correct that the initiative gave government “the opportunity to shed and virtually spread the purchase, operational and maintenance costs on to multiple private operators……”
As I mentioned in previous contribution, whereas ZRs and minibuses are registered to ply SPECIFIC routes, e.g. route 3 ZRs = Wanstead/Redman Village; 9F – Black Rock to Oistins; 10 – Silver Hill/Gall Hill; 11 – Silver Sands.
…… those ZRs and minibuses participating in the TAP are registered to service ALL routes, SIMILARLY to TB buses.
Government’s proposal is essentially AN EXTENSION of TAP, the difference being, purchasing the BYD K8RA K9 electric buses, rather than the usual HINO coaches, Toyota HIACE or Nissan URVAN vans, for example.
Your friend asked about TAP’s operations, reliability and efficiency, thereby suggesting some ignorance of the programme, which was subsequently confirmed when he went on to definitively state its ‘main benefit is to allow politicians to point fingers at the owners when consumers complain,’ essentially confirmed that ignorance, and more so especially when one considers the TAP participants operate under TB’s rules.
Additionally, I read another comment about “John Doe, a humble bus driver from Bank Hall” and his ability to operate “a free bus from China.”
“Humble” Erma Rock from St. Andrew OWNED the Rocklyn Bus Company. She started with one bus, and expanded her company to a fleet of forty buses.
Bush Tea
November 19, 2025 at 11:35 am
“Insinuate” shiite!!! …LOL Bushie has CONSISTENTLY INSISTED (NOT insinuated) that incompetence is the issue… NOT ONLY AT TB, but it is endemic to Brassbados. CURSE induced, and REPRESENTED by an ALTAR that we built on the damn Garrison.”
lol @ Bush Tea At the rate Barbados operating at we may to replace workers and administrators in the ministries and state corps with robots and AI to remove incompetence
Artax
November 19, 2025 at 4:09 pm
“I agree with you that the fundamental issues are TB’s maintenance and operational costs. However, although, as you’ve correctly indicated, TB’s problems persisted across successive BLP and DLP administrations, we must also consider the INCOMPETENCY of government and those individuals appointed as general managers as well”
“The Auditor General’s 2019 special audit of TB provided Barbadians with SEVERAL EXAMPLES of government’s and management’s incompetence.”
Believe me when i tell you that i am not ignoring inefficiency and incompetence. The threshold for it is higher in ministries and statutory corporations. I nearly forget about the PAC meetings during Rev Joe Atherley time as chairman and Opposition Leader. A special set of nonsense was revealed occurring at the Transport Board during the last DLP gov’t. I was commenting within the narrow scope of the proposal and what the govt is trying to achieve.
Artax
November 19, 2025 at 4:09 pm
“As I mentioned in previous contribution, whereas ZRs and minibuses are registered to ply SPECIFIC routes, e.g. route 3 ZRs = Wanstead/Redman Village; 9F – Black Rock to Oistins; 10 – Silver Hill/Gall Hill; 11 – Silver Sands.
…… those ZRs and minibuses participating in the TAP are registered to service ALL routes, SIMILARLY to TB buses.”
“Government’s proposal is essentially AN EXTENSION of TAP, the difference being, purchasing the BYD K8RA K9 electric buses, rather than the usual HINO coaches, Toyota HIACE or Nissan URVAN vans, for example.”
That is right. Another benefit is that large buses are not need to service all routes all the time. At the slowest part of the day a vehicle the size of a ZR can suffice. Less wear and tear on the omnibuses, reducing the regularity to charge them reducing their operational and maintenance cost over time to the private operator. My assumption is that TAP operators are contracted i.e. paid to subject themselves to the TB centralized scheduling. They are less dependent on bus fare revenue i.e. less of a need to hustle and come off the route early.
“…At the slowest part of the day a vehicle the size of a ZR can suffice. Less wear and tear on the omnibuses, reducing the regularity to charge them reducing their operational and maintenance cost over time to the private operator”
~~~~~~~~~
@ DLPTV
What stops the TB from doing that now?
Makes too much sense?
SMH!!!
“Speaking of Joe Atherley”
~~~~~~~~~~
@ DLPTV
Nice chap
…But what does he know about managing a national transport system?
What are some examples of his SUCCESSFUL experience in that regard?
What are his cited sources for his radical conclusions? …a dream?
What are his problem-solving credentials? …Marriage counseling does NOT count.
REPEATING AGAIN!!!
Get professional, experienced, trained leadership ….or go BROKE!!!
…we have gone broke.
Government will soon be borrowing from drug dealers in order to buy food…
OH WAIT… !!! …Is THAT what the FDI and ‘welcome stamp’ promotions are all about??
What a place!
For a group that has the answer to every problem facing Barbados, including how to fix public transportation, I see no reason why the BU intelligentsia shouldn’t become BUI Inc and answer government’s call to operate public transportation in Barbados. Ably led by Bush Tea, of course.
I was minding my business when I saw this..
“Boss, did you follow Curacao’s recent qualification for the football world cup finals?
Population – 160,000, LESS THAN HALF BRASSBADOS.”
I watched the match. It was clear that the players from Curacao had a plan and a thought of winning. Someone explained the fluency of the play by saying Curacao was using players from the Diaspora (Netherlands) who were unable to make the team in The Netherlands.
Don’t give up hope, it looks as if we can still beat the US Virgin Island and Dominica
Enuff…
“….answer government’s call to operate public transportation in Barbados. Ably led by Bush Tea, of course.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
LOL
If you are fortunate Enuff to be around ‘when the roll is called up yonder’, you may get to see your wish…
Unlike wunna, the bushman’s step-father ALWAYS has a plan…
That sounds like a testimonial yuh!!!
Murduh!!
“Another benefit is that large buses are not need to service all routes all the time.”
@ DL&P TV
In 1997, twenty (20) HINO Road Runner minibuses, were purchased for TB, and fifteen (15) HINO Road Rangers in 2000.
I understand the HINOs were purchased to service the short routes, such as Wanstead, Deacon’s Road, Grazettes, Cave Hill, and Eden Lodge, as well as further destinations during off-peak hours, when fewer passengers use the service.
Bear in mind, those minibuses are similar to the minibuses used by private PSV operators. Of those 35 HINOs, only four (4), approximately, are ‘on the road,’ while several of them owned by the private operators are still operational, despite the fact they ‘work harder.’
With all the financial resources available to TB, and it could not adequately maintain 35 minibuses, (the same models private PSV owners have been able to maintain and operate over several years), can only be described as INCOMPETENT QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGEMENT.
Do we apportion some of the blame to drivers as well?
@enuff
The blogmaster is of the opinion the BU intelligentsia would do a better job knowing their resumes.
Artax
November 20, 2025 at 5:42 pm
“With all the financial resources available to TB, and it could not adequately maintain 35 minibuses, (the same models private PSV owners have been able to maintain and operate over several years), can only be described as INCOMPETENT QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGEMENT.”
Do we apportion some of the blame to drivers as well?”
Ok then lets follow the incompetence and inefficiency line. Who does the MAINTENANCE and REPAIR for TB buses? Is the issue competence of that company or cost i.e. debt the govt owes to it. The TB being funded by the state doesn’t mean unbridled access to state funds.
Per the driver, i don’t see how Bajan drivers would be uniquely driving to damage buses designed for mass transit
Independent of whomever is responsible for the POOR record of those 35 mini busses, …and indeed of ALL the other lotta shiite that has gone on at the TB (and at NIS, Housing, MTW, BRA, BWA, QEH, NCF, Agriculture, Eddykashun, Energy, etc) … it MUST be obvious that the BUCK STOPS AT THE TOP.
What is the role of supervisors? – if drivers can do as they like?
What are managers for? … if the supervisors are useless?
What are Directors being paid to do? – if managers are UNABLE to get positive results?
What are the JA ministers who appoint their campaign croonies onto these boards good for? …if the Boards are all useless lackies?
And…
Who appoints these ministers that appoints these shiite Boards that hire these NON-performing managers ????
Steupsss…
To whom MUCH power is GIVEN, MUCH responsibility and ACCOUNTABILITY iare ALSO assigned.
This is why REAL leaders resign when the RESULTS are negative, and when the team is LOSING…
Shiite leaders just blame the VERY people that THEY put in place and allowed to fail…
and hang around to cause more chaos.
What a Place!!
@Bush Tea
Are you suggesting ministers should have to submit names to be appointed to public boards supported by skill matrix documents and other requirements to test competency BEFORE appointment- in the same way incorporated private companies are subjected to?
@ DL&P TV
Interesting questions.
RE: “Who does the MAINTENANCE and REPAIR for TB buses?”
TB has a Quality Assurance department that oversees maintenance and repairs of buses, which are undertaken by TB’s workshop, UCAL, and few other mechanical workshops.
Firstly, TB does not stock parts. Surely the Quality Assurance Manager should be aware of the fleet and associated regularity of repairs.
For example, a particular model bus, let’s assume it’s a Mercedes-Benz OH-1420 Marcopolo Torino, BM200, required a particular part, which is not readily available. Assume another bus, BM216 required a water pump, which also is not available.
Remember, TB does not have the daily requirement of buses to adequately service all routes. Therefore, in an effort to keep buses on the road, the water pump is taken from BM200 and fitted to BM216.
Another bus goes into the workshop for repairs to the engine, with parts unavailable, they are taken from BM200.
Eventually, BM200 that went into the workshop for simple repairs, is scrapped to keep other buses on the road.
I’ll give you a better example. HINO Road Ranger – BM16, was scrapped when it was relatively new, to keep other Road Rangers on the road.
RE: “The TB being funded by the state doesn’t mean unbridled access to state funds.”
I never implied such a thing. TB’s management could include the bulk purchase of specific parts, when preparing it’s estimates of revenues and expenditure.
RE: “Per the driver, i don’t see how Bajan drivers would be uniquely driving to damage buses designed for mass transit.”
Let’s ‘talk’ about drivers.
Do you agree that ‘bad’ or aggressive driving habits can cause premature wear and eventual failure of an engine or automatic transmission?
Do you agree that downshifting or forcing an automatic transmission into a lower gear to slow down the vehicle, is a ‘bad’ driving habit?
How about revving an engine to build air pressure, which places excessive stress on engine components, thereby resulting in unnecessary wear and tear of the engine?
Or speeding and braking suddenly?
Perhaps you should have a conversation with UCAL’s mechanics.
BushTea
I always know how to get a laugh. Thanks.🤣🤣
David
“The blogmaster is of the opinion the BU intelligentsia would do a better job knowing their resumes.”
Ohhhhh? Then BUI Inc should walk the walk.🤣
“….. the BU intelligentsia would do a better job…”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don’t be facetious Boss…
Ossie Moore would do a better job than this BLP lot. The REAL challenge is to contemplate how someone could possibly do worse…
Worse may be possible, but only if Froon and Stinkliar rises from the political ashes…
LOL
@ Enuff
It looks like you have something in common with the Bushman after all…
We both know how to get a laugh…
Bushie deading wid laugh at the lotta shiite wunna doing in EVERY area…
…and you skinning yuh teeth at the lotta brass bowls that give wunna de vote and now gotta watch wunna doing the shiite…
Bout here TOO sweet yuh!!
@Enuff
Some of us do.
@David, I predict the victory of the St Joseph residents is short lived and manipulation thus will be won on appeal after elections. Did not Patrick Wells not publicly thank Mia on his appointment? This decision will seek to make Gregory and Dale look good. Don’t be fooled by the optics.
@Johnnie
You are insinuating the non independence of the judiciary?
@ David
“Bush Tea – Are you suggesting ministers should have to submit names to be appointed to public boards supported by skill matrix documents and other requirements to test competency BEFORE appointment- in the same way incorporated private companies are subjected to?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss, even those PRIVATE businesses who are serious, publish the names and resume’s of their top leadership as a means of DEMONSTRATING their commitment to high quality performance.
In a NORMAL society, this would be STANDARD for Boards of PUBLIC entities that are funded by taxpayers, and that are touted to work FOR the public good… Yuh Think!!
But not in Brassbados!!
“Friend, confidante, political (or other) mate of the minister, and reliable lackie” would probably not represent a presentable resume for publication.
Shiite!!!
For the most part we don’t even know the names of these appointees.
But even beyond their appointment, why should the minutes of ALL board meetings of these PUBLIC entities not be made available to all members of the Senate for their quarterly review?
This way, some of the lackies may be ‘inspired’ to make sensible contributions and to vote with their conscience for fear of public exposure…
Where there is no vision, brass bowls are forced to BORROW…and borrow and beg.
What a place!
Well, Bush Tea, you have touched upon a paradox. Successive governments push a narrative to a (gullible?) populace that they are committed to improving people’s lives. However, they appoint incompetent individuals to significant boards solely based on political affiliation. How can we ever achieve a meritocracy?
You call it a paradox, …Bushie calls it brassbowlery, Jamaicans call it fcukery…
..and the politicians ARE committed to improving people’s lives, …THEIRS and their cronies…
…don’t you see how they suddenly ‘arrive’ after being elected to “SERVE the sheeple”?
Shiite Boss… Wuh some of them live better than Bushie – a BB who has an adopted father that is MUCH wealthier than Elon Musk, Bill Gates and all the others combined. LOL
And what meritocracy what??!!
That would upset the political apple cart.
Can you imagine a country with mostly empowered, productive, self confident people?
What would the politicians and lawyers do…?
Who would follow them around like parasites?
Who would listen to their lies and shiite talk?
A meritocracy is a politician’s worse nightmare, even though it is a statesman’s dream.
The dog dead!
We passed the point of salvation
Our ass is grass…
Weeee like it so.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.