One such modernisation technique, Ferdinand says, is the adoption of a cashless system of payment.

He says this would provide convenience for both passengers and bus operators and decrease the risk of drivers being violently robbed of the monies they carry on their person.

“One of the advantages of this cashless system is that it would reduce conflicts between the driver and the operator, especially for fares. The second would be the security aspect, both for the driver and also the public. They don't necessarily have to work with cash,” Ferdinand explained.

Cognisant of the difficulty adults may have in navigating technology and a cashless system, the president says this would be an opportunity for them to learn.

“Children now are more tech-savvy, they can carry that card on their phone and that would be able to make it a much smoother system for everybody,” he said.

Ferdinand went on to express his enthusiasm for a cashless system. “To be honest with you, I can't wait to see that system because really we need to upgrade the system, we need to modernize the system and if we do that, both the public and the operator would be satisfied.”

The president says consultation will be had to understand the concerns of the minibus operators and the larger public.

“We will have a pilot project and the pilot project will give us more information on how to make the system better. The pilot project will take into consideration all the concerns of the public as well as the concerns of the operators as well,” he said.

Ferdinand says the organisation is working to make public transportation more appealing to the public and efficient in its operations.