With smart card, pensioners lead public transport’s tech revolution

The Transport Board has taken a bold step into the digital age of public transport with the launch of a smart card system designed to modernise public transit and improve efficiency. 

Rolled out on Sunday the system’s initial phase focuses on old-age pensioners, marking the beginning of a transformative journey toward a cashless, technology-driven commuter experience. 

The smart card system introduces digital tickets, eliminating manual record-keeping and setting the stage for a cashless future. 

Chief Operations Officer Lynda Holder told Barbados TODAY: “This is not about charging pensioners—they travel free. This is about us being able to monitor and track travel patterns to improve efficiency. We are digitising the process and addressing potential issues before extending it to paying passengers.” 

Pensioners with traditional or unpinned ID cards can continue travelling as usual, with drivers manually inputting their data. Those with updated ID cards can now tap their cards on a tablet, enabling their trips to be recorded digitally. Holder explained: “What we have effectively done is remove the manual intervention where someone wrote on a piece of paper to record travel.” 

This initiative represents more than digital tickets; it reflects a larger vision for public transportation in Barbados. Each bus is now equipped with GPS technology, which will eventually allow commuters to track buses in real-time via their phones or the Transport Board’s website. 

“Very soon, commuters will be able to do that. You’ll be able to stay on your phone and see where the buses are, and you’ll be able to plan accordingly,” Holder said. She highlighted the city circle route as an example of this functionality: “If you go on our website and you look for our city circle bus, you will be able to see exactly where that bus is. You’ll see literally a little bus moving around on the map showing you where that bus is.” 

The initiative aligns with global trends in transit safety and efficiency, including reducing cash handling onboard, which Holder described as both innovative and a safety measure. 

The phased rollout begins with pensioners to minimise disruptions while addressing technical issues. The system will eventually extend to students, police officers, and the general public. 

Holder pledged to keep the public informed throughout the process: “We will stay in touch with you and with your colleagues throughout the process. We will constantly come and speak to you on where we’re at, what we’re seeing, how it’s developing, and what the rollout is so that persons remain informed.” 

Challenges, including connectivity issues with smaller buses, have emerged in the Transport Augmentation Programme (TAP), the route-sharing partnership between the state bus company and private operators. But Holder stressed that all buses under the Transport Board are equipped with the necessary hardware and software.

She said: “Every bus operated by the Transport Board, whether it is a big blue and yellow bus or it falls in the TAP programme, will have this hardware and software on board. At this point in time, every bus working under the programme presently on the road has the software and the hardware installed. In some of the smaller [route taxis], we were having some connectivity issues, but every single bus that is working now and in the future will have this technology on it.” 

Beyond digital tickets, the Transport Board envisions a comprehensive transformation of public transport. The integration of cashless payments, real-time tracking, and user-friendly travel planning tools are part of the bus company’s drive to enhance commuter experiences, reduce inefficiencies, and improve overall safety. (RG)