A critical administrative bottleneck at the Barbados Licensing Authority is paralyzing the island’s public transportation system, leaving vehicle owners stranded without valid permits. According to Roy Raphael, Chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport, operators have been waiting over six weeks for mandatory inspection results—documentation essential for permit renewal and legal road operation.
The prolonged delays have created a domino effect across the transport sector. Raphael confirmed engaging Chief Licensing Officer Treca McCarthy-Broomes, who acknowledged the issue but failed to implement solutions. With evening commuters already facing severe shortages after 6 PM, the licensing impasse threatens to remove more buses from circulation indefinitely.
Taxi operators face identical hurdles, particularly those with newly acquired vehicles unable to commence operations without inspection clearance. The crisis extends beyond permits to mandatory badge certifications for drivers and conductors, creating compounded compliance challenges.
Despite outreach to transport officials, including Ministry of Transport and Works Chief Technical Officer Jennifer King, resolution remains elusive. McCarthy-Broomes requested queries via text message but provided no response by publication time.
Raphael issued an urgent plea to both the Licensing Authority and the Ministry of Transport and Works, warning of imminent service reductions if processing delays persist. He emphasized the contradiction between public transport shortages and administrative barriers preventing vehicles from legal operation.