The Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) currently has 187 buses in service on 79 routes of a possible 163.
It is hoping to increase the number of buses and routes by the third quarter of 2024.
PTSC general manager Patrick Gomez made the statement during a parliamentary Public Accounts Committee meeting on the inquiry into the financial statements of the PTSC for the financial years 2014-2018.
“Our daily run-out hovers between 160 (and) 170 buses. We have a fleet of 187 buses, some have been identified for disposal, while others are in long and short-term repair. We are currently servicing 79 routes based on what is available.
"Our strategic plan calls for us to have 500 buses, and with those, we would be able to service over 160 routes. We are attempting to acquire 300 buses in three phases, and are currently carrying out a rigorous maintenance programme to keep those we have running.”
Deputy general manager, engineering, David Mangal said the average chassis age of the fleet is 12 years, with a range of three-18 years.
He said over the past few years, a programme had been implemented across all depots which kept track of parts needed, maintenance, and minimum and maximum reorder levels so that preventative maintenance could be scheduled.
He said people were being trained in maintenance of the current fleet and the new buses when they are acquired.
Gomez said supply-chain issues had made it difficult to acquire parts on time over the last three years, and this affected the number of buses out at any time.
PTSC vice chairman Robin Rampersad said the number of 163 routes was what the corporation had been able to service in 2011-2013 when the fleet was at its maximum level before it began to deteriorate.
He said the number of routes was revised every two- three years, based on population density, demand, rural routes and road conditions.
Rampersad said the corporation ran internal surveys of PTSC users monthly to determine how satisfied they were with the service, and independent surveys were done of both PTSC users and the general public.
Committee member Dr Amery Browne asked what revenue streams PTSC was using, including revenue from tenants and advertising.
Gomez said collection from tenants remains an issue, but the corporation was applying stringent measures at this time, including writing to all tenants who were in arrears.
“Some tenants have entered into payment and promissory-note arrangements, and these are monitored on a monthly basis. For tenants who we were unable to come to arrangements with, we have forwarded those cases to the courts and are following a legal pathway.
"For other government departments, we have written to the heads and most have settled their accounts, while we continue to pursue others.
"The policy for tenancy is being enforced and monitored daily. We write to them and go through the process. If needs be we serve notices of eviction if the issue cannot be resolved.”
He said several advertising options were used, including the Beetham Highway,
