Decentralise public transport to cut costs for commuters, says Thorne

Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader Ralph Thorne has pledged to create a decentralised, commuter‑friendly transport system if his party wins the February 11 general election, arguing that outdated routes still reflect an economy centred on Bridgetown.

At a national meeting in Speightstown, St Peter, on Tuesday night, Thorne said the reformed system would focus on direct, affordable travel to major commercial centres such as Warrens, reducing the cost for commuters who take multiple buses to get to and from work.

He explained that decentralising transport and rationalising routes would ease the burden on low‑ and middle‑income workers while supporting national development.

“Over the last 30, 40, 50 years, Bridgetown has ceased to be the main commercial area in Barbados, but the transport system has not recognised that,” Thorne said.

He argued that the current system adds to the cost of living for workers who rely solely on public transport, particularly those travelling long distances for work.

“The design of transport in Barbados puts hardship on people,” he said. “Because a man who lives in St John and works in Speightstown… has to catch two buses to get to work, and then another two to go back home. $3.50 and $3.50 by two, $14 he’s spending.”

There is a need for stronger transport links between emerging commercial centres across the island, said Thorne, noting that the existing system forces commuters to overspend on fares.

“The transport system has to readjust, and a sophisticated transport system must work in such a way that people do not overspend on bus fares,” he said. “A properly working transport system must be able to move people in a way that they have a direct trip from home to work and not to be disadvantaged by having to catch four buses in one day, and sometimes more than four.”

He used public service vehicle (PSV) operators lining up at Sheraton Mall as an example of how transport should be integrated into commercial centres.

Thorne said: “You see it at Sheraton. They’re examples of it. You come out of Sheraton and you see the ZRs parked out there. They do block some traffic, but they’re moving people. What is happening at Sheraton is a demonstration that a commercial centre does not fully develop or function unless transport is integrated within that centre.”

He added that commercial centres such as Warrens were designed around cars rather than people, a point he said was evident in the lack of pedestrian planning.

“Warrens is a commercial centre; it’s not a town,” Thorne said. “Warrens as a commercial centre never had any regard for the pedestrian except to put zebra crossings across a very busy roadway. So Warrens has developed as buildings, cars, offices, stores, general retail centres, but no regard has been had for the pedestrian, for the ordinary man.”

The DLP leader framed transport reform as a social equity issue, particularly affecting lower‑income earners.

“There are retail establishments in Warrens where people do not have cars, where people are not highly paid, but they are disadvantaged by a transport system which is not designed to meet the interests of those who are at the bottom levels of society,” he said.

A well‑planned transport system would allow for direct travel from home to work across the island, Thorne said.

“If you’re living in the centre of Barbados and you’re working in Holetown or Oistins, those same comfortable electric buses should be moving on proper roads and making one trip,” he said. “Transport should be crisscrossing Barbados.”

He added that such a system would require transport hubs located outside Bridgetown.

“We must decentralise transport out of Bridgetown and move various transport centres to various zones or transport stations across the country,” Thorne said. “Wherever you have a commercial centre or a town, you must have an available bus service as part of that town.”

He argued that transport planning must be tied to national development.

“That is what physical development is all about. Physical development makes sense only when it marries itself with human development and eases the burden.”