We have just received another report and this time it is on a subject that has rarely been covered – Cayman’s public transportation system.

What also makes this one even more interesting is – it has been compiled by the Cayman Islands Youth Assembly, who executed a survey of 300 local high school and college students.

The survey called, “Lack of Transportation Hampers Youth Development,” showed 45% of the persons surveyed said a lack of public transportation prevented them from participating in after-school programmes.

The researchers went to each district on Grand Cayman to interview students over the course of five weeks including a visit to Cayman Brac.

It wasn’t just a lack of public transportation that was the only problem. Even when it was available many students would not use it because “parents don’t want us to ride the bus.”

The survey pointed also to buses being overcrowded, unpleasant, uncomfortable, no air conditioning, and not available when the students needed them.

Some students said they could not find a bus schedule so they didn’t know when they would arrive and get to their destination.

Others said even when they did find a bus schedule there was no guarantee public buses would get them to their destinations on time.

When the researchers checked out the air conditioning complaints they found “some buses were not using the air conditioning in an effort to save on fuel consumption without regard for the passengers’ comfort.”

A researcher from the Lighthouse School discovered there was no space on public buses to accommodate wheelchair passengers.

The Report said there are over 60 public buses on Grand Cayman available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m and it contained a number of recommendations. These included:

Run buses past 7 p.m. – “Our research also shows that young people would use the public buses more if they could be regularly accessed after 7 p.m. to get to and from movie cinemas, parties, concerts and other youth attractions.”

Print schedules of bus times and post them at bus shelters.

Purchase larger buses.

Add two 30-passenger buses to the eastern route, along with two 30-passenger buses to the West Bay route.

I have to commend the writers of this report and I hope the Minister in Charge, Osbourne Bodden, takes note and makes some comment on the recommendations contained therein.

Our youth has taken some criticism and this is a very welcome change to applaud them.

I cannot ever remember a report being executed on our public transport system. If there has been I have never read it nor can I find it.