New garbage trucks boost waste collection fleet

Waste collection services are set to improve as the Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) prepares to roll out six newly arrived garbage trucks, with four more expected by the end of the week. The expanded fleet is aimed at easing long-standing frustrations in communities affected by irregular rubbish collection.

SSA Chairman Ramon Alleyne said on Monday that all ten trucks should be with the authority by the end of the week, with the likelihood of being pressed into service by July 18.

“This will bring the operating fleet to 50. We are building capacity to be able to deliver two pickups a week. We have achieved a general once-a-week pick up islandwide,” Alleyne told Barbados TODAY.

In early December last year, the SSA chairman also announced the arrival of 12 of 26 new garbage collection vehicles, all of which were scheduled to be on the island by early this year.

Two of the garbage collection trucks that recently arrived at the Bridgetown Port. (EJ)

“The intent is to be in a position to offer improved frequency of service in the New Year. We have plans to bring the fleet up to the numbers that would allow that increase. Once we settle the logistics, we will announce what the increased frequency will look like within the first quarter of next year,” he explained then.

“The optimum plan is to bring the fleet to 50-plus. That will allow us to implement the increased frequency across the island. We recognise that we will need in the region of 50-plus to be able to deliver that kind of frequency.” (EJ)