Transport Ministry Eyes Restroom Upgrades as First Step in Terminal Overhaul

While the Ministry of Transportation continues to push for upgraded bus terminals, financial limitations may force the improvements to take place in phases rather than all at once. The ministry’s says its immediate focus is on improving the most basic yet essential amenities starting with the restrooms. The plan is to have the funds collected from monthly bathroom fees to be reinvested to retrofit and upgrade lavatory facilities at the country’s terminals. It’s a practical step, but one that only scratches the surface of the larger infrastructure challenges facing the sector. Our newsroom asked Chief Executive Officer Chester Williams how the Ministry plans to fund such an ambitious national project and whether any funds have already been allocated. Here’s what CEO Williams had to say in response to those concerns.

Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport: “So certainly what we’re looking at now is a short-term plan. As you know, the minister is currently going around promoting the new system that we want to implement hopefully at the beginning of next year, one national bus company. With that, it should be bringing with it new terminals. We’re hoping that that is going to be a part of the package. Or if not new terminals significant upgrade to the current terminals. Again, as the minister has said that we’re looking at a PPP project and if that do materialize then we can see significant upgrade to the terminals as well.”

Reporter: If it doesn’t?  

Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport: “If it doesn’t work out then we have to look at an alternative plan which is going to be to find the funds, upgrade these terminals and then what can be done again we can still go into a PPP where terminals are concerned and then the bus companies and vendors and so forth will be able to pay a rent and that goes to the person or persons who would have  provided funds to build the terminals so there’s still a possibility for it to work.”

Williams added that the ministry may also explore seeking grant funding.