Survey of Minibus Owners and Operators Starts
|
|
|
Contact: Claudia Monlouis
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 – An island wide survey of the public transport system started Wednesday, February 20th with some 20 enumerators going out into the field.
Director of Statistics Edwin St. Catherine said there’s an estimated 1001 mini-bus operator plying 25 designated routes on the island. He expects the survey to go on for two weeks.
“We are going to be randomly selecting transport drivers based on the list we were provided. We will conduct approximately 20 to 25 minutes interviews with operators to discuss issues and various aspects of their business. We will look at for example: the age and sex of drivers, the types of minibuses that they drive and their satisfaction with the queuing system. We will look at the dispatchers and the cost structure—that's a very important aspect of this survey. We'll look at the main components of the cost of operating a minibus, gas consumption and tyres,” said Mr Catherine.
A key objective, he said, is to ascertain how much it costs operators to ply the routes, especially in light of the hike in fuel prices. In order for this to happen the Government official said his department is calling on bus owners and operators to provide very accurate responses, as that information will be used to shape policy and better structure that sector.
The Ministry of Communications, Works, Transport and Public Utilities is collaborating with the Statistics Department in realising the objective. Chief Transport Officer Annette Augustine said the initiative will help improve the quality of service that is being provided to commuters.
Ms. Augustine said the Department of Transport currently has a number of route permit applications on hold. She said the survey will provide an indication as to whether any more permits should be granted for the respective routes.
“By way of the Transport Board most of the associations would have already been informed through their representative of the Board's intention to carry out the survey. What has been done since; we have provided additional information to the respective associations including those that are not affiliated with the National Council of Public Transport, seeking their assistance and their cooperation with respect to the carrying out of the survey,” she said.
She said once the findings of the survey are in the St. Lucia Road Transport Board will effect critical changes to the sector to ensure its efficiency. |
|
© 2008 Government Information Service. All rights reserved. Read our privacy guidelines. |
