New Anse Aux Pins bus terminal opens |30 July 2018

The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation officially opened the new, renovated Anse Aux Pins bus terminal on Saturday.

It was the Minister for Habitat, Lands, Infrastructure and Land Transport, Pamela Charlette, who had the honour of unveiling the plaque to the new terminal during the brief ceremony attended by Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) board of directors and staff. The Anse Aux Pins terminal was also blessed by Father Lonnie Adrienne.

The new terminal has a sitting capacity for 120 commuters and a one-storey building where administrative and smart card services will be available.

Other facilities include a snack shop, washrooms and disable-friendly facilities such as ramps

The terminal’s re-development was initiated in 2015 and the R6.9 million project was carried out in two phases.

“The first phase started in 2016 to prepare the grounds for construction work, drainage and building of a school barrier wall,” said Maxwell Julie, deputy chief executive of SPTC.

In collaboration with 2020 Development, the contract’s first phase was awarded to UCPS (United Concrete Products Seychelles) at a contract cost of R1.8 million.

The second phase kick-started in September 2017 for the construction of the actual terminal and adjacent facilities at a cost of R5.1 million. The construction company, Ascent Project, was awarded the bid for this contract.

Mr Julie explained that the terminal has been designed to ensure safe and secure boarding and disembarking.

In that respect, bus commuters heading south will now be able to board their buses on the side of the terminal facing the primary school while those going towards town has to board on the side facing the main road.

“This is to avoid the chaotic instance in the past where people boarding buses were all rushing to one side,” Mr Julie said.

He also pointed out the railings and pedestrian crossing which will not only ensure the safety of commuters but also the nearby schoolchildren.

In response to concerns on the roof and if it will be able to protect commuters from the rain, Mr Julie explained that the roof includes advertising panels that act as a barrier.

In his speech, the chairperson of the SPTC board Andy Moncherry said the new, more modern bus terminal is a testimony of SPTC’s concerted efforts to ensure the comfort and safety of its clients.

“As much as practicable, we try to bring our service closer to the community,” Mr Moncherry highlighted.

He also mentioned the extension of bus services within Persévérance 1 and 2, as well as a new bus schedule to cater to the demands of the public and current traffic flow as examples of SPTC’s ongoing initiative to better its services.

The bus heading to Baie Lazare via Takamaka was the first to enter the new terminal.