Dear Editor,
The bus system has long served as a lifeline for many Antiguans. When access to a personal vehicle is not an option, public transport becomes an essential part of daily life. Yet, as reported by Antigua News Room, a concerned commuter is speaking out about the system's persistent shortcomings — and calling on the government to act.
For those who have experienced bus systems abroad, the contrast with Antigua's is difficult to ignore. In the United States, for instance, scheduled stops ensure that passengers in both urban centres and rural areas can rely on a bus arriving within a predictable window. In Antigua, no such guarantee exists.
Residents along busy corridors like Factory Road can reasonably expect several buses to pass within an hour. Those living in the eastern or southern parts of the island, however, may wait three hours or more for a single bus. The absence of a fixed schedule does not only inconvenience passengers — it undermines the professionalism and credibility of the entire system.
Route coverage compounds the problem. Bus frequency and road coverage increase as one approaches St. John's, leaving communities on the periphery underserved. A truly reliable public transport network, the letter writer argues, should ensure balanced frequency across all routes and consistent access to major destinations, regardless of population density.
Of all the issues raised, the writer identifies one as the most frustrating: the practice of holding buses at stops until every seat is filled. Conductors, whose pay is tied to passenger numbers, routinely delay departure while waiting for one or two additional riders. This, the writer argues, places the financial interests of conductors above the needs of the very passengers the system exists to serve.
As an alternative, the letter proposes decoupling conductors' pay from passenger volume — a model similar to that used by the school bus system. The writer acknowledges this would require a fundamental restructuring of public transport, including government assuming control over all buses currently operating as private ventures.
"I understand many would be opposed to this system as it interferes with people's pockets," the writer states. "However, I strongly believe that the government has more than enough money to go through with it. If we object to these plans because of the money in peoples' pockets, then I am afraid we have truly lost the point of having a public transport system."
The letter is signed simply: A victim of the bus system.
