New easy-to-read bus route maps have been installed at bus stops across Grand Cayman to make it easier for residents and visitors to travel around the island by public transport.
The maps, installed at 25 bus shelters across the island by the Ministry of Planning and the Public Transport Unit (PTU), display route numbers, major stops and PTU contact details for enquiries, complaints and feedback.
The initiative, the ministry said, is designed to improve public awareness of bus routes, encourage bus drivers to stick to their assigned routes and promote public transport as a reliable and affordable travel option.
Commuters can also scan the QR code featured on each map to access a digital version instantly on their phone or visit www.caymantransport.ky.
Connecting Cayman
Planning Minister Jay Ebanks said, “We are committed to building a modern, reliable public transport system that works for everyone, from our daily commuters to visitors experiencing Cayman for the first time. These new maps are more than just signs; they’re a symbol of our pledge to make public transport accessible, user-friendly, and a preferred choice for getting around. This launch is another step towards a more connected, sustainable Cayman.”
The ministry and PTU will also distribute printed maps to a wide range of public access points, including community centres, government reception areas, schools, tourist welcome centres, healthcare facilities and popular visitor locations to ensure maximum reach and visibility.
Speaking about public transport at government’s 100 days celebration earlier this month, Ebanks said that a range of improvements were planned for next year, including live-tracking buses via a phone app and having cashless payments on the network.
“What we want to do is to make sure that nobody is actually waiting … longer than 15 minutes for a bus, no matter if you’re at East End, North Side, West Bay, wherever you’re at,” he said.
“We also want to look at how do we get a bus transportation that runs, not maybe 24/7, but at least late nights and early mornings, so if individuals need to get to work in East End at 4 o’clock in the morning, they can take a bus.”
He said that once budgets are decided, then government will know how much is available to spend and whether government subsidies or a public-private partnership will be needed to update the bus network. It is understood that some of recommendations from the 2023 report from consultancy firm Deloitte, entitled ‘Assessment of a Public Transport Strategy’, are to be implemented.
Cabinet approval
Minutes released on Monday for the 13 Aug. meeting of Cabinet show that Cabinet approved the Strategic Outline Case (SOC) on public transport in the Cayman Islands and approved for the ministry to proceed with the Outline Business Case stage.
In reply to a question asked by MP Roy Tatum in the recent parliamentary session, Ebanks said a consultant from the UK Department for Transport had been supporting the ministry in preparing the SOC for a modern public transport system in the Cayman Islands, offering a “high-level assessment of transport challenges, options and delivery models, serving as the foundation for future decision-making”.