Smart technology is being installed at bus stops and telematic control units being placed on buses as the eBus phase of the Intelligent Bus Management and Monitoring System Project gets rolling in St Vincent.

The project, which is being implemented following an agreement signed on January 26, 2019 between the Republic of China on Taiwan, and the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines seeks to improve the management of the public transportation sector (eBus phase), and enhance surveillance in public areas (CCTV Phase), in this country.

The CCTV Phase is completed with a fully functional surveillance system currently in operation.

Smart bus stops are being installed at approximately 40 locations throughout the country, and 200 Telematic Control Units (TCUs) are being installed on Government-owned and contracted buses, and also on privately owned buses who agree to be part of the project.

“This project is expected to yield tremendous dividends to all stakeholders, not least of which will be the much-needed relief to the travelling public by greatly reducing the waiting time for buses, as commuters will be in a position to determine the buses’ location, and therefore know when to get to the bus stop at an appropriate time, and avoid long waits,” a release from the Information Technology Services Division of the Ministry of Finance said.

“The eBus phase is currently being implemented a pace by two teams comprising consultants from Askey company of Taiwan; and staff of TaiwanICDF; Information Technology Services Division (ITSD), in the Ministry Finance, Economic Planning and Information Technology; Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force; and Ministry of Transport.

“An invitation is extended to all private bus owners to be a part of this game changer in the transportation industry; and can indicate their interest by contacting the Project Co-ordinators, Mrs. Donnette O’Neil and Mrs. Desiree Armstrong, at the Information Technology Services Division at 457-1007,” the release said.