Licensing delays for new Tobago-bound buses

Fifteen new buses allocated to Tobago are yet to arrive in Tobago, with reports that licensing issues were responsible for the delay.

The buses were scheduled to leave Trinidad for Tobago on the cargo ferry, the Cabo Star cargo, last Sunday and arrive on Monday, but Newsday Tobago was told a keep-back in licensing of the buses meant they were not ready to be sent to the island.

Tedd Taylor, President of the Tobago Transportation and Industry Workers Union, could provide no information on Wednesday as to when the buses will be sent to Tobago. He said ten of the buses were licensed on Monday and the rest were expected to be licensed by the end of this week.

“PTSC (Public Service Transportation Corporation) did secure spaces on the boat, (Cabo Star) but because Licencing Office failed to license all the buses in time, this caused a delay. For the CNG buses, a special approval from the commission of Licensing Authority is required because these buses are longer than usual. These CNG buses are expected to operate on the west side of the island only,” he said.

Reports are that other buses destined for Tobago are also still undergoing test-drives along the mountainous Blanchisseuse area by PTSC personnel officials to monitor its capabilities and readiness for the Tobago terrain.

The 15 buses cost $35 million. Five of the buses are CNG-powered and two will be allocated for physically disabled persons. The new buses will be coming with GPS systems and, additional features to assist with maintenance.

Currently, Tobago has 8 buses serving the island.