By KARL E CUPID Tobago Bureau Monday, September 22 2008

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LIGHT MOMENT: Members of the audience at the launch of the Ministry of Health's Cabinet Appointed Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Technical Advisory...

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Chairman of the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC), Ethelbert Paul acknowledged that bus service in Tobago at present was “more than unsatisfactory” — with only ten out of a complement of 35 buses operational.

He, however, assured this would now be a thing of the past with the addition of a new 20-bus fleet which is to be thrown into service from today. Paul made the point during the formal commissioning of the Chinese-built high-tech HIGER (29-seater) buses at Works Building, Shaw Park, on Saturday afternoon.

He added that in the interest of efficiency and standardisation, however, Tobago was also likely to receive five of the larger-type new HIGER buses to replace those of different models which were currently in use. “It may be possible, and I repeat, it may be possible”, Paul stressed.

He specifically lauded the continued close-working “partnership” between PTSC and the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).

He reported that several non-functional routes in the island would be back in service, as well as new routes added, in areas such as Mt St George and Roxborough in the east, and Mt Pleasant and Buccoo in the western end. The PTSC chairman also strongly advised commuters to treat the new buses with the utmost care.

“While we expect that these new buses will be welcomed by the residents of Tobago, we ask please that you treat them as they are yours”, he said. “The buses that we have provided for Tobago are not our buses; it’s your buses, the people of Tobago, treat them as your own!”

Echoing the sentiment, THA Chief Secretary Orville London said all Tobagonians must accept that they have a responsibility in ensuring that the buses are not vandalised or in any other way defaced.

He issued the call as he lamented the situation where two of 20 newly-installed prefabricated bus shelters had already been vandalised by persons who were clearly of a ‘disturbed mind’.

“The people with the same kind of ‘disturbed mind’ that would vandalise the bus sheds, are the same people who would deface these new buses,” he asserted.

“They are ours; not London bus or Paul bus!” London declared, as he urged Tobagonians to individually do their part in protecting and caring them.