The St. George’s Bus Terminus and Car Park on Melville Street is now officially open.

The ceremony was held last Thursday in the presence of Governor General Sir. Daniel Williams, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, other Ministers of Government and officials from the Grenada Ports Authority (GPA).

The facility is part of the multi-million dollar Port Expansion Project, and the Melville Street Expansion Project which cost $112 million.

The project which was started in May 2004 seeks to reduce traffic congestion in the town of St.George’s, and to improve the efficiency of the public transportation system.

GPA Director Carl Phillip told the gathering that the bus terminus can accommodate 150 buses, 21 vendor booths, an administration office, passengers drop off points, loading base, and three entrances.

Phillip said the upper deck which is the parking lot can accommodate 125 vehicles, and will also be used as a holding area for some of the buses using the terminus.

He disclosed that the 346 buses registered to use the facility have been given an electronic tag to be used on entering and leaving the terminus.

The GPA official announced that the routes with the largest number of buses - Grenville passing through St. David’s, Grand Anse and Beaulieu - will be registered by the end of this year.

These buses continue to use the old bus terminal located near to Sendall Tunnel.

According to Phillip, there is a manual backup system in place that will be used if the electronic system fails.

He hailed the new bus terminus as a sterling example of public and private sector partnership.

Phillip indicated that a special committee has been set up to ensure good management at the facility with members drawn from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Works, Royal Grenada Police Force and the National Bus Association.

In her address, Minister of Communication and Works Claris Modeste-Curwen said that the bus terminus is a vision of Prime Minister Mitchell .

She said the facility provides many benefits for Grenadians such as employment.

A number of persons have already received employment at the terminus which had been undergoing trial runs for the past three weeks.

There have been complaints from some bus operators about problems relating to routes, lanes and stickers.

Minister Modeste-Curwen said that discussions are taking place with stakeholders to resolve the issue.

She congratulated the bus men whom she said were very cooperative with the Management of the facility in ensuring that the operations take place smoothly.

Prime Minister Mitchell who also spoke said that the opening of the facility is one step forward in putting Grenada first.