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Public Bus Service Begins on Key Tortola Routes, Officials Announce
Approved public bus services will be launched across major routes on Tortola, introducing scheduled transportation between East End, Road Town, West End and Carrot Bay.
The Ministry of Communications and Works, in collaboration with the Taxi and Livery Commission and the Tortola Bus Drivers Association, announced the initiative.
Minister for Communications and Works Kye M. Rymer, Director of the Taxi and Livery Commission Jevaughn Parsons and President of the Tortola Bus Drivers Association Allan Penn outlined details of the service.
The newly approved Tortola Bus Drivers Association will operate the services, with morning routes beginning as early as 4 a.m. and evening services ending between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., depending on the route.
According to the Ministry, buses will depart East End to Road Town every half hour starting at 4 a.m., while services from Carrot Bay to Road Town will begin at 6 a.m. Return routes from Road Town to East End will start at 4:45 a.m., and routes from Road Town to West End, continuing to Carrot Bay, will begin at 5:30 a.m.
Evening services will conclude with the last departure from Road Town to West End and Carrot Bay at 7 p.m., and the final trip from Road Town to East End at 8 p.m.
Officials said an additional route between Cane Garden Bay and Road Town is planned, with details to be announced.
Buses operating under the association will display signage reading “Bus Service” along with route information. Passengers are encouraged to use designated bus stops.
“The Tortola Bus Drivers Association is committed to providing safe, reliable, and clearly identified bus services to meet the needs of our community,” Minister Rymer said. “We thank passengers for using the designated stops and for their continued support as we seek to expand transportation services in the Territory.”
“The Taxi and Livery Commission is pleased with the progress made by the Tortola Bus Drivers Association and remains dedicated to ensuring safe, reliable, and professional transportation services for residents and visitors of the British Virgin Islands,” Mr. Parsons said.
“We strongly encourage all residents and visitors to make full use of the bus service, which offers a safe, reliable and convenient mode of transportation for everyone,” Mr. Penn said.
The Taxi and Livery Commission is responsible for regulating taxi and livery services in the territory, including safety and service standards.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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