Transport in Barbados

Road

Barbados has 1,600km of road, of which all are paved. Public transport services in Barbados are operated by buses, mini-buses and by "route-taxis", or "ZRs". Many of the public transport vehicles depart from the capital, Bridgetown, or from Speightstown in the northern part of the island. Additionally, there are shuttle services run by hotels and taxi services. Driving is on the left.

Public transport

The ZRs (pronounced "Zed-Rs"), are privately-owned mini-vans, which are plentiful in Barbados and travel to most points on the island. They are among the most common form of public transport in Barbados. The vans are easily seen, with them generally having a colour-scheme of white with maroon, and they often play loud music or use a musical horn. A black circle on the van carries the number of the route. Routes served are often more scenic than those served by other modes of transport.

Buses and minibuses also run services, and they are found frequently in many parts of Barbados. Buses run seven days of the week, although services are less frequent on Sundays. Minibus services are generally privately-owned, much like the ZRs. Large buses, typically in blue, are government-operated and charge the same fee as the other services ($1.50 BDS). Unlike the other services, the government buses tend not to offer change for certain denominations of currency.

Most public transport services require a connection through Bridgetown, although some services run directly to other destinations.

Competition for patrons extends to the bus terminals (sometimes just a parking lot full of buses); it is normal for the 'ZR' bus conductors to attempt to escort you to his vehicle and engage in loud altercations with other drivers and conductors, in competition for your patronage. These altercations, though sometimes dramatic, are less problematic than they usually seem to the unaccustomed.

Taxis and shuttles

Some hotels also provide visitors with shuttles to points of interest on the island. Hotel shuttles generally leave right outside of the hotel's lobby. The island also has an abundance of taxis for hire. Private taxis are available across Barbados and will generally carry passengers door-to-door but they tend to cost more depending on what the destination is.

Car rental

Car rental in Barbados is provided through any of several vehicle rental agencies. Foreign drivers driving in Barbados require a temporary driver's licence in addition to an international licence.
* [http://www.totallybarbados.com/barbados/Travel/Transportation/Car_Rentals/ Barbados Car Rentals]

Boat

Boating to/from or around Barbados requires following all International and local laws. If arriving in Barbados it is important to remember that legally you must enter an approved port of entry, which means stopping by the Harbour-master first at Bridgetown. Laws also protect the coral reefs, and boaters should be careful not to drop anchor outside of areas approved by the government of Barbados in order to protect the corals and possibly other undersea infrastructure that might be present around the island.

Barbados currently no longer has the Schooner vessel that once operated between Speightstown and Bridgetown. However, in recent years, with many heavy traffic problems on the island, there have been calls to revive it.

Merchant fleet

Railway

The railway system of Barbados implemented by Britain in the 1800s, primarily for transporting sugar cane across the island to the seaport Bridgetown, has also long since been removed. Some areas such as "Two Mile Hill" in St. Michael or "Mile and a Quarter" are a reminder of the railway era, but the rail system itself and its infrastructure no longer exists in Barbados.

Given that Barbados is the second most densely populated country in the Americas (behind only Bermuda), there is little chance that the railway would ever be recreated in Barbados. [http://www.nationnews.com/story/294546727880053.php] Any proposals for re-establishing a train mode of transit in Barbados would require either a subway system or an elevated monorail (likely placing it along the island's highways).

Airports

Barbados possesses one airport, the Sir Grantley Adams International Airport. It has paved runways of length in excess of 3,047m.

Ports and terminals

Ports exist in Bridgetown and in Speightstown (the Port Charles Marina). These are regulated by the Barbados Port Authority.

References

"Much of the material in this article is adapted from the CIA World Factbook 2000."

:"See also :" Barbados

External links

* [http://www.totallybarbados.com/barbados/Travel/Transportation/ Barbados Transportation]
*http://www.transportboard.com/ - The Transport Board of the Barbados government
*http://www.barbadosmaritime.com/ - The Barbados Maritime Ship Registry (BMSR)