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巴巴多斯

  • BARP moves to formalise elder abuse reporting as cases rise

    BARP moves to formalise elder abuse reporting as cases rise

    Against a backdrop of surging reports of mistreatment against older people and growing numbers of seniors visiting its headquarters seeking direct support, the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) is moving to establish a standardized, formal framework for handling elder abuse cases across the island nation. The announcement came Thursday as BARP held its annual general meeting at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, where association president Marilyn Rice-Bowen shared that the organization is in the final phases of developing a structured reporting system designed to deliver more consistent, coordinated responses to elder abuse complaints brought forward by members.

    Rice-Bowen told meeting attendees that incidents of elder abuse have grown increasingly frequent in recent months, marking a notable shift from past patterns of engagement. Where seniors previously reached out to BARP primarily via phone or email to raise concerns, growing numbers of vulnerable older adults are now traveling to the association’s offices in person to ask for direct intervention with their cases of mistreatment. “One of our most important initiatives will be the introduction of a formal reporting protocol for elder abuse,” Rice-Bowen said in her address to the gathering.

    Under the current ad-hoc process, BARP staff document reports shared by visiting seniors and pass along details to the Family Conflict Unit, a specialized division within the Barbados Police Service, for official follow-up. The new system will build on this existing relationship by adding structure and accountability to the process. Once fully implemented, BARP personnel will complete a standardized reporting form for every abuse case brought to the organization, which will then be sent directly to the police unit for official investigation. Unlike the previous process, BARP will also maintain active oversight of each open case, tracking progress and following up with both authorities and the affected seniors to ensure cases are resolved appropriately.

    “We’re in the process of having a reporting form designed. That form will be completed at BARP and forwarded to the Family Conflict Unit of the Barbados Police Service, and of course, then we will be able to follow up to see what’s happening,” Rice-Bowen explained. She framed the new protocol as a far more robust and proactive approach to combating the growing problem of elder abuse, noting that BARP stands ready to take a leading role in protecting older Barbadians if called upon.

    “From BARP’s perspective… it is a more serious approach to elder abuse,” she said. “Every senior deserves to live in safety, dignity and respect.” The new initiative follows public comments Rice-Bowen made one month prior, when she characterized elder abuse as a silent crisis unfolding across Barbados. At that time, she warned that the island was facing a expanding but underreported pattern of abuse, including deliberate targeting of socially isolated older adults for financial exploitation, and called on national stakeholders to implement stronger protective measures for the country’s aging population.

  • Mixed reactions to new Pic-O-De-Crop venue

    Mixed reactions to new Pic-O-De-Crop venue

    Barbados is grappling with a last-minute event scheduling shift that has split public opinion, after the iconic annual Courtesy Garage Pic-O-De-Crop calypso competition finals was relocated from its planned home at Kensington Oval to CARIFESTA House in Waterford. The change was made to clear the venue for the upcoming state funeral of national hero Sir Garfield Sobers, one of the most revered figures in the country’s history.

    The National Cultural Foundation (NCF), the body organizing the cultural event, announced the venue adjustment this Wednesday, confirming that the competition will still proceed as scheduled one week from Friday, kicking off at the original start time of 8 p.m. The organization explained that the tight timeline between Sobers’ funeral and the calypso finals left no room to prepare Kensington Oval to host both major events to the expected standard.

    Public reaction to the decision has been far from uniform, with Barbadians offering a range of perspectives on the trade-off between honoring the national hero and preserving the tradition of one of the island’s most anticipated cultural events. Priscilla Giles, a local resident who spoke with Barbados TODAY, framed the shift as a reasonable compromise given the circumstances, noting “It’s not a big deal to me. I’m on split opinions, but most of it just boils down to it’s not really a big deal.” Even so, Giles raised valid practical concerns for attendees and local vendors alike. She pointed out that ticketing arrangements remain unclear for fans who already purchased passes, and that CARIFESTA House’s smaller capacity could limit access for attendees. For vendors who had already prepared to set up operations at Kensington Oval, the sudden relocation creates new barriers, she argued, questioning whether all 100 vendors originally planned for the old venue can be properly accommodated at the new site.

    Giles also acknowledged the necessity of making space for Sobers’ funeral, noting that the national icon deserves a large venue to host the thousands of Barbadians expected to gather to grieve and celebrate his legacy. “One way or the other, things should work out if they have the aspect done right, but the general public just will enjoy one way or another,” she added.

    Omar, another local attendee, said the venue change itself does not personally impact him, but argued that postponing the competition by a week and a half to two weeks would have been a more practical solution, allowing the event to keep its original planned venue at Kensington Oval after the funeral concluded. “I think they could have postponed it to like two weeks, week and a half… by then Crop Over would be finishing up. Kadooment would have passed,” he explained.

    Not all reactions have been critical, however. Junior “Rambo” Hamilton expressed support for the shift to CARIFESTA House, arguing that the venue is actually better equipped to host the calypso finals than Kensington Oval, pointing to improved facilities including restrooms as a key advantage. Even so, he acknowledged that parking shortages could create headaches for attendees traveling to the new location.

    Other locals have suggested an entirely different alternative venue: the National Botanical Gardens. Benjie Alleyne noted that while Kensington Oval is a perfectly suitable location for the competition, the Botanical Gardens offer unbeatable comfort and layout for large-scale events. “It’s a ventilated area. You can’t be hot,” he explained, adding that the space can easily accommodate varied seating arrangements, including VIP sections, seated areas for attendees who cannot stand for long periods, and open party spaces. The Botanical Gardens actually hosted the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals for three consecutive years before this year’s planned return to Kensington Oval.

    Thus far, the impact of the venue change on ticketing has been minimal. Staff at one local ticket outlet confirmed to Barbados TODAY that only one attendee has returned a ticket since the relocation was announced. The NCF says its production teams are already hard at work adapting CARIFESTA House to meet the needs of the event, upgrading staging, sound systems, lighting, crowd flow planning, accessibility and other key logistics to ensure the competition meets the high standards attendees expect, while still allowing the nation to properly honor one of its most beloved icons.

  • Farm school grads urged to turn skills into wealth

    Farm school grads urged to turn skills into wealth

    On a momentous Thursday at the St. Lucy campus of the Hope Agricultural Training Institute (HATI), more than 40 trailblazing graduates from the institute’s inaugural Farming and Fishing Gateway Initiative cohort crossed the stage after completing 10 weeks of intensive hands-on training. The milestone event carried more than just celebratory weight: it marked the launch of a national push to redefine agriculture in Barbados from a subsistence practice to a profitable, innovation-led entrepreneurial sector. The call for this paradigm shift came from Dr. Chelston Brathwaite, a veteran agricultural leader and HATI consultant, who addressed the newly minted graduates with a clear, ambitious vision for their futures.

    Brathwaite, who previously served decades as the head of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), emphasized that the training program was not designed to prepare participants for small-scale, hand-to-mouth farming. Instead, it is a foundational stepping stone for a new generation of Barbadian agri-entrepreneurs equipped to leverage modern technology to build scalable, wealth-generating businesses. “We are not here to teach people to eke out a living,” Brathwaite told the assembly. “Our goal is to cultivate a new cohort of informed, skilled Barbadians who can use cutting-edge agricultural technologies to build lasting wealth for themselves and our nation.”

    A core pillar of Brathwaite’s message was the urgent need to move beyond traditional raw commodity production and unlock the massive potential of value-added agriculture. He reminded attendees of a vision he first articulated more than 10 years ago: transforming breadfruit from a simple staple crop into the center of a full-fledged domestic industry. Rather than just exporting or selling whole unprocessed breadfruit, Brathwaite argued, Barbados could build a market for value-added breadfruit products ranging from chips, flour, and pancake mix to wine and baked goods. This approach, he said, creates far greater economic value than raw production alone.

    “Only 30 percent of the total value of any agricultural product exists in the initial growing stage,” Brathwaite explained. “Seventy percent of the value comes after production: in processing, marketing, transportation, cold storage, and distribution. When you harvest a raw crop, that is just the starting line, not the finish line. Your job is to add that value and capture those economic gains for yourself.”

    He also stressed the importance of aligning product development with evolving modern consumer preferences, noting that convenience, nutrition, and organic certification have become non-negotiable priorities for today’s buyers. “Convenience is the new watchword in global food markets,” Brathwaite said. “Consumers do not want to put in hours of preparation; they want safe, nutrient-dense, organic options that are ready to use. As you build your businesses, you must prioritize what the market demands, not just what you are able to produce. That customer focus is what will drive your success.”

    In addition to his advice for graduates, Brathwaite framed the shift to value-added agribusiness as a critical opportunity for Barbados to diversify its national economy, which has long leaned heavily on tourism and international services. A robust, innovative agricultural sector, he argued, can create new jobs, reduce food import dependency, and open new export markets for Barbadian goods.

    Liesel Daisley, project manager for the Farming and Fishing Gateway Training Initiative, echoed Brathwaite’s encouragement while highlighting additional support systems available to graduates. Daisley reminded the cohort that the government-funded Gateway Initiative offers a range of free training programs across other high-demand sectors, including construction and hospitality, all of which include stipends for participants, job placement attachments, and starter toolkits. “These free opportunities will not be available permanently,” Daisley said. “I urge every graduate to continue building your skills by taking advantage of every resource offered to you.” She also encouraged new business owners to stay connected to their HATI instructors for ongoing guidance and to embrace resilience as they navigate the early stages of launching their ventures. “Our goal was to give you a springboard for success,” Daisley told the graduates. “We do not just want to see you build successful businesses in Barbados – we want to see you become change-makers for sustainable agriculture across the entire Caribbean region.”

    Subject instructors shared their own targeted hopes for the graduates’ work. Bernard Thompson, who taught apiculture (beekeeping) to the cohort, said he looks forward to the day when Barbados shifts from being a net importer of honey to a leading exporter of high-quality local Barbadian honey, a goal he said graduates are well-positioned to achieve. Christina Adams, the program’s aquaponics instructor who worked directly with 21 students in the fish farming track, said she expects many of her students will quickly launch their own commercial aquaponics operations. She noted that fish farming can serve multiple purposes, from improving household food security for part-time producers to serving as a full-time profitable commercial venture. “Whether you are growing to feed your own family, earn supplementary income alongside a full-time job, or build a large commercial enterprise, this training has given you the foundation to succeed,” Adams said. “I hope you all maintain that passion for agriculture and strengthening Barbados’ food security that you showed throughout this program.”

  • Vendors ramp up Bridgetown Market promotion

    Vendors ramp up Bridgetown Market promotion

    As Barbados prepares for the annual three-day Foreday Weekend Bridgetown Market, the Barbados Association of Retailers, Vendors and Entrepreneurs (BARVEN) has launched a new round of promotional outreach aimed at drawing larger crowds and boosting vendor revenue for the upcoming event. Kicking off one week from Friday, the popular market is being co-hosted by BARVEN and the National Cultural Foundation, with final preparations well underway according to former BARVEN vice president Erskine Forde, who spoke on behalf of the association.

    Speaking to local outlet Barbados TODAY, Forde acknowledged that pre-event patron numbers have not hit the group’s projected targets so far this year, but expressed optimism that attendance will climb steadily as the event approaches, buoyed by growing numbers of international tourists arriving on the island. “Our main priority right now is getting more people through the market gates, which is why we are ramping up advertising and outreach across multiple channels,” Forde explained. “While we don’t have the foot traffic volume we hoped to see at this stage, we are confident that visitor numbers will pick up as we get closer, especially with the ongoing influx of travelers from overseas.”

    Even with slower early turnout, Forde confirmed that local vendors have already recorded a noticeable uptick in business compared to previous months, with sales figures tracking roughly on par with 2023 levels, just slightly below internal projections. “There is definitely an increase in sales so far, and while we always believe there is room to grow, our members are happy with the current trajectory,” he added.

    The Bridgetown Market has long been a signature stop for both local residents and international visitors, offering a wide selection of authentic Barbadian artisanal and food products that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. From dairy-free homemade ice cream to handcrafted local goods, Forde noted that the market offers a one-of-a-kind cultural experience that draws repeat visitors year after year. “Vendors are really excited to welcome everyone, from locals who’ve been coming for decades to first-time international visitors, to try these truly unique products that they can’t get back home,” he said.

    Looking beyond this year’s Foreday Weekend event, Forde also shared that BARVEN is hoping its member vendors will be included in future planned indoor market events hosted on the island, though formal confirmation from event organizers has not yet been received. Addressing lingering tensions from the previous year’s event, where some long-time vendors expressed frustration over being assigned new vending spots instead of keeping their preferred traditional locations, Forde emphasized that vendors are willing to adapt to new organizational arrangements, even when adjustments cause minor inconvenience.

    “Change is an inevitable part of any growing event, and sometimes you don’t get every single thing you hope for. You have to be flexible and work with new arrangements,” he explained. “Our main goal this year is to work with organizers to resolve any location assignment issues amicably, so everyone can have a successful, positive experience at the market.”

  • Tent managers raise concerns over Pic-O-De-Crop finals venue shift

    Tent managers raise concerns over Pic-O-De-Crop finals venue shift

    Barbados’ most anticipated annual calypso competition, the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, is at the center of growing industry concern after a last-minute venue change forced by preparations for the state funeral of national hero Sir Garfield Sobers. What was originally scheduled to take place at the large, purpose-built Kensington Oval has been moved to the smaller CARIFESTA House in Waterford, and key stakeholders from across the calypso community are questioning whether the new site can meet the event’s unique scale and technical requirements.

    While all parties have expressed full respect for the need to honor Sir Garfield’s legacy and accommodate the funeral proceedings, industry leaders say the sudden shift has created a cascade of logistical and operational hurdles that threaten to compromise the quality of the island’s flagship calypso event. Sharon Carew-White, manager of the C.O. Williams House of Soca Tent, described the timing of the announcement as unexpected but understandable, noting that the priority placed on the national hero’s funeral is widely shared across the country. Even so, she warned that the smaller CARIFESTA House venue comes with significant limitations that cannot be addressed properly on such a tight timeline.

    Barbados’ already limited pool of event service providers and technical personnel, Carew-White explained, makes rapid overhauls of the new space extremely challenging. Drawing on lessons from last weekend’s Junior Monarch competition held at the same venue, she pointed out that major adjustments to infrastructure, security, and layout will be mandatory to host the senior finals. Performers who spent weeks designing large, elaborate stage props tailored to Kensington Oval’s expansive stage now face the last-minute requirement to scale down their creative concepts to fit CARIFESTA House’s smaller footprint. Key concerns also extend to core competition needs: seating capacity, stage dimensions, and acoustic quality, all of which are critical for a judged performance event where visibility and sound clarity can impact final results.

    Carew-White has put forward an alternative proposal: postpone the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals until the Sunday following Sir Garfield’s funeral, which would allow the event to remain at its originally planned Kensington Oval location. Compounding the scheduling challenge, she added, is that several members of the competition’s official festival band also play with the Police Service Band, which is currently focused entirely on rehearsing for Wednesday’s state funeral. That leaves just two full days for the band to prepare for the calypso finals if the event proceeds on its original date.

    Eleanor Rice, manager of the Kooyman All Stars Calypso Tent, echoed Carew-White’s concerns, emphasizing that the new venue is simply too small to accommodate the event’s typical turnout. Last year’s finals drew roughly 7,000 attendees, a crowd that cannot be safely or comfortably hosted at CARIFESTA House without major, rapid infrastructure changes. Like Carew-White, Rice also publicly supported the proposal to postpone the competition by one week to retain the original Kensington Oval location.

    Barry Knight, president of the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes (BACA), which represents hundreds of calypsonians across the island, said the venue change sparked vigorous debate among the organization’s membership. While BACA acknowledges that the decision was made in response to the regrettable passing of a national icon, Knight is calling for far greater transparency from event organizers. He is urging officials to publicly outline exactly what adjustments will be made to CARIFESTA House to meet the competition’s needs, including any new infrastructure or layout changes that will be implemented to address stakeholder concerns and reassure performers and attendees alike.

  • Competition begins for Barbados at CAC Games

    Competition begins for Barbados at CAC Games

    Barbados’ 2023 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games journey got underway in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, with badminton marking the island nation’s first competitive action of the multi-sport event. The opening matchup against Venezuela ended in a 4-1 defeat for the Barbadian national side, though it produced one bright highlight for the delegation: veteran men’s singles player Kennie King secured his country’s only win of the tie, battling past Venezuela’s Ricardo Torres in three hard-fought sets 21-18, 11-21, 21-5.

    In the women’s singles draw, Barbados’ Monyata Riviera fell in straight sets to Venezuela’s Mariangel Garcia, 14-21, 19-21. King and his men’s doubles partner Shae Martin could not overcome their Venezuelan opponents, dropping the match 15-21, 15-21. Riviera and Sabrina Scott, competing in women’s doubles, also lost in straight sets 14-21, 18-21. The final contest, mixed doubles, saw Venezuela claim another victory as Martin and Scott fell 10-21, 19-21 to the Venezuelan pairing.

    Beyond the badminton court, the Barbadian delegation of more than 140 athletes, with a total support and competitor contingent of roughly 200 people, has been settling into the CAC Games environment across multiple host cities. Chef de Mission Dr. Adrian Lorde, speaking exclusively to Barbados TODAY from his base in Santo Domingo, reported that the team’s morale remains strong despite the opening result and logistical adjustments required for the tournament.

    “Batches of competitors are still arriving, but I’ve been really impressed with the team’s spirit and resilience,” Lorde said. “Conditions here are quite hot, and we’ve had some variation in accommodation, but the group has settled in far better than expected.” Many early-arriving athletes have already begun on-ground training for their upcoming events, Lorde confirmed. The men’s hockey squad has already held a public warm-up scrimmage against the host Dominican Republic team, while shooters have reported to their venues, and swimmers and tennis players arrived in country Wednesday night. A formal team welcome ceremony for the Barbadian delegation is scheduled for Wednesday evening in the main CAC Games Village.

    The 2024 CAC Games, which will run through July 24 to August 8, are expected to welcome roughly 6,000 athletes from across the region to compete in a full slate of sporting events. Lorde noted that Barbadian representatives have quickly built camaraderie with competitors from other participating nations, with athletes swapping national pins and connecting in shared training and accommodation spaces.

    Unlike most delegations concentrated in the main Games Village, Barbados’ team is spread across multiple host cities to align with event venues: the rowing team is based in a separate municipality, golfers are competing out of Punta Cana, and other groups are stationed in Santiago. Lorde acknowledged that event organizers have faced early logistical growing pains, commonly referred to as teething problems, as they prepare for the full duration of the games. “The organizing committee is doing everything possible to address these early issues, and we’re all ready to compete,” he said. “We have no complaints at all about the quality of the competitive facilities, which are top notch. While the Games Village is still being finalized and isn’t quite at the level we would have hoped for this early in the event, the food has been excellent. All things considered, things are looking really good for our team moving forward.”

  • President, PM sign condolence book for Sir Garfield

    President, PM sign condolence book for Sir Garfield

    Barbados is entering a period of national mourning this week as political and civic leaders lead island-wide tributes to one of its most revered citizens, the late cricket icon and National Hero, the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers. With a formal State funeral scheduled for next Wednesday at the iconic Kensington Oval — the ground where Sobers built much of his legendary sporting legacy — top government officials have already begun publicly honoring his decades-long impact on the Caribbean and global sport. On Thursday, Prime Minister Mia Mottley joined a growing roster of national figures in paying respects, framing Sir Garfield as one of the most transformative figures the Caribbean has ever contributed to world history. Earlier the same day, President Jeffrey Bostic became one of the first officials to sign the official condolence book at State House, kicking off the national period of tribute that will run through next week’s memorial service. Speaking to members of the press after adding her name to the condolence book, following a weekly Cabinet meeting, Mottley drew on the writings of one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated intellectuals to contextualize Sir Garfield’s standing alongside the region’s most iconic trailblazers. She turned to the work of renowned Trinidadian historian and author C.L.R. James, whose writing has long chronicled the outsized influence of Caribbean figures across global politics, culture, and sport. Mottley shared that James himself ranked Sir Garfield among the most important Caribbean leaders and creators to ever shape modern history, alongside names including revolutionary icon Toussaint L’Ouverture, American founding father Alexander Hamilton, Pan-African leader Marcus Garvey, Martinican poet and philosopher Aimé Césaire, pan-Africanist organizer George Padmore, and radical theorist Frantz Fanon. Quoting James directly, Mottley shared his assessment of the cricket legend: “Still we have made history. As evidence of what we can make of ourselves, I need only add some of the names our people from the Caribbean have inscribed on the pages of history.” She went on to recount James’ own placement of Sir Garfield at the close of that iconic list, with the historian writing: “I end this list by a name acknowledged by critics all over the world as an unprecedented, unimaginable practitioner of his particular art. I refer, of course, to Garfield Sobers.” Mottley emphasized that those words remain just as resonant today, capturing the depth and breadth of Sir Garfield’s contributions — which stretch far beyond the boundary of the cricket pitch to lift the profile of Barbados and the entire Caribbean on the global stage. As the nation prepares to formally bid farewell to one of its most beloved and celebrated sons, Mottley’s remarks echoed a widespread national sentiment of gratitude and pride for Sir Garfield’s life and legacy. To give all Barbadians an opportunity to share their respects, condolence books have been placed at official public locations across the island, opening the tribute to members of the public ahead of next week’s State funeral at Kensington Oval.

  • PSVs pledge on-demand services, infrastructure fixes

    PSVs pledge on-demand services, infrastructure fixes

    In an exclusive reveal to Barbados TODAY, the association representing private public service vehicle (PSV) owners in Barbados is preparing to roll out a transformative 10-point public transit overhaul, with landmark commitments to accessible, free on-demand transportation for the island’s disabled community and a formal bid to participate in the national Transport Board’s divestment programme.

    Roy Raphael, chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), announced Wednesday that the group will soon sit down with the Ministry of Transport and Works to table its investment proposal for the state-owned transit authority. Raphael confirmed that the Co-operative Investment Fund, led by president Oriel Doyle, has already collaborated closely with the AOPT to draft a full purchase proposal submitted to the national government.

    “The association has a direct vested interest in moving this proposal forward under the government’s divestment framework,” Raphael said, declining to share further details on the investment terms ahead of the formal ministry meeting, but promising regular public updates on the full 10-point plan in the coming weeks.

    The plan’s centerpiece is a sweeping set of reforms to address longstanding gaps in accessible public transit for Barbados’ disabled population, a need that AOPT leadership prioritized after direct consultations with disabled community stakeholders. Raphael explained that disabled residents currently face limited options, forced to rely exclusively on the state Transport Board or costly private taxis for travel, with zero accessible PSV vehicles currently in operation across the island.

    To lead this accessibility push, the AOPT has appointed Craig Banfield, a serving complaints officer, as Special Assignments Officer tasked with collaborating directly with disabled communities to remove transit barriers. During a recent nationwide outreach tour covering Warrens, sections of Bridgetown and northern parishes, AOPT leaders identified multiple systemic issues, from inaccessible bus stop heights and proximity to busy roadways to a total lack of wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the private PSV fleet.

    The association’s plan calls for at least five to six of 15 incoming government-approved electric buses to be modified for disabled accessibility, deployed along a new flexible “blue route” designed to connect riders directly to key essential services including supermarkets, retail outlets and health clinics. Unlike traditional fixed public transit routes, the blue route will be adjusted dynamically based on where disabled riders reside, making service more responsive to community needs while remaining open to all general public riders.

    Addressing cost barriers that have locked many low-income disabled residents out of specialized transit, Raphael confirmed that all blue route services for disabled riders will be completely free of charge. The AOPT is currently working with the Barbados Council for the Disabled to secure community funding to provide small stipends to participating drivers, eliminating any out-of-pocket cost for riders while compensating drivers for their time. The on-demand service will be available 24 hours a day, with service guaranteed whenever a rider books a trip.

    More accessibility commitments are woven throughout the 10-point plan, including upgrades to existing bus stops in partnership with the Ministry of People Empowerment and the Barbados Council for the Disabled, two additional accessible buses funded through a pending partnership with the Chinese Embassy, and specialized driver training for all staff working with disabled riders. The plan also integrates disabled accessibility into national disaster preparedness: 25 licensed ZM and Z taxis will be placed on reserve for the Ministry of Transport and Works’ emergency response plan to evacuate disabled residents to shelters during hurricane season, with AOPT members receiving specialized training to assist during emergency evacuations.

    To address mobility needs for disabled residents with severe health conditions, the AOPT also plans to launch a dedicated non-critical care ambulance service, operated by volunteer drivers on a structured roster. The service will fill a gap for disabled residents who cannot sit for extended periods or walk for standard transit, with two new accessible buses and one dedicated ambulance planned for launch if all funding and approvals are finalized.

    Additional components of the 10-point plan include expanded access to ZR route taxi services for schoolchildren, with AOPT planning to meet with the Ministry of Education next academic term to discuss the proposal, and a nationwide public safety and security education campaign for transit users and drivers. Raphael added that the AOPT will also use its upcoming meeting with the Ministry of Transport to address longstanding industry issues including permit processing and streamline collaboration between the private association and state transport regulators, as well as discuss cooperation frameworks with the Transport Board leadership ahead of the divestment bid.

    Raphael confirmed that implementation of the 10-point plan will begin within the next month, with full progress updates to be released publicly in the coming months as key initiatives move forward.

  • Crop Over rush yet to hit as City beauty shops await late surge

    Crop Over rush yet to hit as City beauty shops await late surge

    As Barbados’ iconic Crop Over festival enters its final, most anticipated stretch, personal care providers across Bridgetown’s busy shopping malls are navigating an unexpected slow start to the peak seasonal period – though most remain optimistic that a last-minute surge of clients will lift their earnings before the annual celebration concludes.

    Daniel Singh, a barber at Oddies Barbershop located in Bridgetown’s Bridge Street Mall, told reporters he has yet to see the usual uptick in foot traffic that comes with the annual festival. “For me it’s kind of slow right now. I feel it will pick up later on, toward the end of the month,” Singh said, noting that his revenue stream relies heavily on the consistent patronage of his regular client base.

    Currently, Singh completes between eight and nine haircuts per day on average. He added that while elaborate custom hair designs are rare this season, most Crop Over attendees are opting for functional, low-fuss styles. “Mainly when Crop Over is going on, people just ask for fades, shaves, and basic roundups. Designs only come in two or three times a week, if that – maybe three times a month tops,” he explained.

    A similar slow trend was reported by Kevin, a barber at Hair Fair 911 in Swan Street’s Mall 16. After quiet trading through most of June and early July, Kevin said he has already started to see a small uptick in clients, and expects business to boom in the coming week. “This is the time where we expect that business will start to boom within the next week. For the next two weeks, business will be up… until back to school season starts,” he said.

    Kevin averages around seven haircuts per day between Monday and Thursday, but on weekends that number doubles to between 15 and 17 customers. Like Singh, he noted that growing numbers of clients are requesting simple, low-maintenance styles, most commonly temple fades finished with a sharp pencil line. These cuts are not only easier for customers to maintain between appointments, they are also more budget-friendly and faster for barbers to complete, Kevin explained.

    While optimistic about the coming weeks, Kevin acknowledged that delayed wage payments and broader financial pressures have held back consumer spending earlier in the season. “For the last two to three weeks it was pretty dead… people weren’t getting their payments on time… it’d be hard to come and spend on a haircut, to be honest with you. But you’re seeing it now… business will be up this weekend,” he said.

    Sharon Barker-Holmes, a hairstylist at Curls and Tips also located in Mall 16, outlined multiple overlapping factors that have driven the seasonal slowdown for her business. First, many of her regular clients already got new hairstyles for recent graduation ceremonies, and long-lasting braided styles mean they do not need a second professional appointment for Crop Over. She also pointed to shifting consumer habits, with many people now turning to YouTube tutorials to learn at-home styling, or purchasing wigs to style themselves rather than booking professional services. Some even rely on untrained friends or family members to cut and style their hair instead of visiting a salon.

    Broader economic challenges are also cutting into client spending, Barker-Holmes added, with many of her regular clients working in Barbados’ key tourism industry facing reduced working hours and tighter incomes. “A lot of my clients in the hotel industry… their hours are being cut… so they don’t have the funds. You can’t pressure nobody to come and get nothing done if they don’t have it,” she said.

    While some days are still busy, Barker-Holmes said her turnover has not matched the levels she saw in previous years. “Today I might sit in here and then tomorrow I’m busy, busy, busy. I can’t say that you’re making money like you’re making it as you used to,” she explained. Where she once regularly served eight clients a day comfortably, that number now counts as an unusually busy day. She added that growing competition from newly qualified cosmetology graduates, many of whom offer lower-priced services from home, has also drawn clients away from established salons. “The young ladies that are now coming out of school doing cosmetology… everybody coming out thinking they’re a hairdresser… they’re taken away from what I would be receiving as a hairstylist,” she said.

    Nail technician Rhea, who operates Orhevia’s Nails inside Bella Voi Beauty Salon in Mall 16, reported a prolonged slowdown that has lasted since the spring. “Since after Mother’s Day, the pace has really slowed down and ain’t as much foot traffic… not as many appointments since Mother’s Day,” she said. Rhea sees between two and five clients a day on average, accepting both walk-ins and pre-booked appointments. She added that clients’ current booking patterns clearly reflect tighter household budgets, with most people sticking to lower-cost basic services rather than splurging on premium treatments, even for the festival. “When they ask for less, they have a budget that they’re working with, and even when they’re coming for a celebration or event, they didn’t actually spend more than what they accustomed to spending,” she explained.

    Even with the slow start, Rhea shares the widespread optimism among Bridgetown’s beauty community that the final days of Crop Over will bring the seasonal boost they have been waiting for. “I pray… hopefully that it picks up by Friday or Saturday,” she said.

  • Bishop earns maiden call up

    Bishop earns maiden call up

    West Indies Cricket has shaken up its Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan, with uncapped Barbadian left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop earning his first ever international call-up as one of two key adjustments to the roster. The series is scheduled to get underway on July 25 at Trinidad and Tobago’s newly upgraded Brian Lara Cricket Academy, a venue that will mark its own place in regional cricket history when it hosts its first ever Test match, becoming the 13th Test venue across the Caribbean.

    Bishop’s promotion to the senior Test squad comes after three consecutive seasons of dominant, consistent performances in the West Indies’ regional first-class competition. Representing both Barbados Pride and the West Indies Academy over that stretch, the young spinner has claimed an impressive 91 wickets, earning him selection based on sustained domestic form.

    Joining Bishop as a new addition to the squad is top-order batsman Kirk McKenzie, who returns to the West Indies Test set-up after a two-year absence. The Jamaica Scorpions batter has been in red-hot form in the 2024 truncated West Indies Championship, notching 323 runs across six innings at an outstanding average of 64.60, earning him a recall to the national side.

    The two new inclusions come at the expense of two established players, who will miss the series due to different setbacks. Star fast bowler Alzarri Joseph is unavailable for selection for personal reasons, while opening batsman John Campbell will continue his recovery from a left hamstring strain. Campbell picked up the injury during the recently completed One-Day International series against New Zealand, ruling him out of the red-ball leg of the home summer.

    Despite the two changes, the core of the West Indies squad that secured a 1-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka earlier this month has been retained. This includes veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach, who made history in the Sri Lanka series by becoming just the fifth West Indies bowler of all time to reach the milestone of 300 Test wickets. Roach’s experience and recent form make him a key leader for the side heading into the Pakistan series.

    The full 15-man West Indies squad for the Pakistan series is as follows: Roston Chase (Captain), Jomel Warrican (Vice-Captain), Joshua Bishop, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales.