At a press conference on Tuesday, Public Transit Association Bahamas (PTAB) president Reuben Rahming claimed that the government’s recent supplement on a preferred model for the unification of the bus system for New Providence was “exceedingly flawed”.
Mr Rahming said the government claimed the supplement – published in the Nassau Guardian on June 21 – was a “full copy” of the preferred module. However, he claimed it was not a “true representation” of the final report issued to the industry.
He pointed out that in the final draft of the model, it stated that “it is important for government to hold minority shares in the new company” and that government should obtain 20 to 30 per cent of the equity at no cost. However, in the supplement this was replaced with: “That government does not take up any equity in the new bus company.”
Mr Thompson yesterday admitted that the supplement had accidentally been printed with the recommendations from an earlier draft.
He pledged that the department will reprint the supplement with the correct recommendations. “We regret this miserably and we do apologise for an inconvenience caused,” he said.
Earlier this month, Mr Thompson said that it would be premature to set a date for the implementation of the unified bus system.
At that time, he said, although the implementation of the model is slow to arrive, it remains the best, most workable system for New Providence.
Yesterday he said that the framework of the business plan is being worked on, and stake holders will shortly be brought around the table to assist with the business plan.
On Tuesday, Mr Rahming expressed concern about a foreign consultant who is preparing this business plan, claiming that industry personnel have not been introduced to this consultant, or provided any information.
Mr Thompson said that industry personnel would be given the opportunity to have an input with the business plan of the unification of the bus system.
By TIFFANY GRANT Tribune Staff Reporter
