By Roy Morris, ContributorSIXTY-FIVE miles per hour, that's how fast all Transport Board buses will be able to travel shortly. General manager David Jean-Marie confirmed yesterday that about one dozen of its buses had already been fitted with speed limiters, while a number of others were at the workshop of Mercedes Benz agents, Simpson Motors, waiting to have the devices fitted. An additional 25 new buses now in the Bridgetown Port will be fitted before being pressed into service around the middle of next month. After that all other buses will be taken out of service, one at a time, to have the equipment installed.
DEVICES
The devices have been provided to the board at no cost by its insurance agents, CGI Consumers Guaranteed Insurance. Jean-Marie explained that the decision was taken to set the maximum speed at 65 kmph, which is higher than the speed limit, to allow for the buses to be operated in a manner that would still allow efficient use of the transmission. "The speed limiters are sealed to ensure they are not tampered with, but we will also put programmes in place to ensure regular inspection," he added.
"We are confident that by using these devices we will be able to cut our operating expenses by saving on petrol, brake linings and general repairs. This will have a positive impact on commuters since it will mean more buses on the roads at any given time."
PRELIMINARY FIGURES
Preliminary figures for 2003 show an approximate ten per cent reduction in accidents already, on top of the 25 per cent reduction achieved in 2002, and the general manager said that with additional training and the speed reduction devices, 2004 should bring even better results.
Meanwhile, Jean-Marie said that with an improved maintenance programme and the acquisition of new buses the board would be hiring more than 35 new drivers in 2004. These, he added, would cover additional drivers to meet the demand for new services as well as replacements for retiring staff. "Our aim during 2004 is to bring our daily rolling stock to 250, which would require a total fleet of around 300.
"Right now, through improved maintenance, we are up to 185 daily, excluding the 25 which are still in the port. We have also started a programme to improve our fareboxes to the type which will dispense tickets when the fare is paid. This will help us to more accurately keep count of the number and types of passengers travelling on each bus," he added.
Taken from the Trinidad Express web site.
