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Public TransportationIf you don't want driving to drive you crazy while on vacation in Barbados, then make use of the region's best public transportation system. Barbados' public transportation system is made up of the government run Transport Board buses, and the privately operated mini-buses and mini-vans/route-taxis which are also called 'Zed-Rs'. The bulk of the island's public transportation system connects to the country's capital, Bridgetown, but a smaller percentage travels directly to other locations.
Barbados Transport Board BusesPublic transportation vehicles normally operate seven days a week between the hours of 5:00 am and midnight. The service of both the government run and privately operated buses is somewhat less frequent on Sundays and public holidays.
The government run Barbados Transport Board buses are easily identifiable as the large, predominately blue buses with the yellow stripe running along the side, and a large sign with posted destination above the windscreen. They are also used as mobile billboards, with advertisements often posted on the side and rear panels. These buses operate an 'exact fare' system and do not provide change. The bus fare for these and all other public transport vehicles is Barbados $2.00 on a single bus for adults. On the government buses fare is free for school aged children in uniform and senior citizens with a Barbados Identification Card. No foreign currency is accepted. Bus schedules for the Barbados Transport Board buses are posted along most routes and in the Fairchild Street and Princess Alice/Lower Green bus terminals in Bridgetown, the Oistins terminal at Oistins in Christ Church, and the Speightstown terminal in St. Peter. Schedules are also available on the Barbados Transport Board website.
Designated areas to wait for public transportation are called bus stops. These are usually marked with a circular red and white sign with 'In to City' and 'Out of City' posted in black lettering, with the former indicating the route into Bridgetown and the latter the route out of Bridgetown. Some bus stops throughout Barbados have an all-weather shelter and bench.
Mini-busesMini-buses across Barbados, have a predominately yellow colour scheme with a blue stripe running along the side panels, with the destination posted on a small sign inside the windscreen. These are generally smaller than the government run buses and can be found on all the same routes. Mini-buses often play loud music or use a musical horn. They also, usually, carry a conductor and can make change, so exact fare is not required. They will generally accept American dollars, but not other foreign currency.
Zed-RsThe 'Zed-Rs' or mini-vans are, like the yellow mini-buses, privately owned. These plentiful vehicles with a predominately white colour scheme with a maroon stripe along the side travel the majority of the routes as their larger counterparts. A black circle with a white number inside indicates the route. 'Zed-Rs' also typically carry a conductor who will often try to escort you to his or her vehicle (and away from another mini-van), and conduct highly verbal, sometime dramatic altercations with other conductors and drivers that are often less problematic than they appear.
The terminals for the mini-buses and 'Zed-Rs' are typically a converted parking lot filled with the vehicles and are within walking distance of the terminals for the government operated buses, with three located at Probyn Street (just outside the Barbados Fire Service headquarters), River Road and Cheapside (outside the General Post Office) in the Bridgetown area.
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