MOF-BUDGET Jun. 2016 | Page 514

Agencies Achievements & Ongoing Initiatives Annex H D Headquarters Building The Government has agreed in principal to purchase and develop a new headquarters building for the RTD. It is expected that the new building will be ready by the end of 2016 or early 2017. E. Public Bus Unification The Inter-American Development Bank has agreed to provide a Grant of $500,000.00 to finance a six month Pilot Project that will form the basis for the island wide roll out of the comprehensive unified public (bus) transportation system on the island of New Providence. Part of the Grant will be used to contract a transportation specialist consultancy firm to provide technical support to the Ministry of Transport and Aviation for the implementation of:    comprehensive reform of the public bus service in New Providence commence with the operation and organization and concomitant evaluation of a Demonstration Pilot Project of the proposed Bus Unification initiative the preparation of the technical documents in support of a credit request to the IDB for island wide roll out of the reformed unified bus system Specifically the consultant will be required to:       [514]  2016/2017 DRAFT ESTIMATES OF REVENUE & EXPENDITURE    conduct a review of the existing policy documents of the proposed Unified Bus system defining the roles of different stakeholders in the proposed Unified Bus system operationalizing and ensuring the coordination and implementation for the pilot demonstrative initiative effectively lead the initiative to plan, manage, design, execute implement the pilot initiative, including conducting all necessary workshops, surveys and designs for its implementation continuously evaluating the pilot initiative and make recommendations for the island wide rollout developing the infrastructure designs, institutional systems as well as the legal framework, to support the reforms with a compendium of terms of reference as required assisting the Government of The Bahamas with the preparation of a loan application to the IDB to finance Government investments required for the island wide rollout of the Bus Unification System assisting the Government of The Bahamas in the execution of the implementation plan, and; assessing the need for changes in additional legislation to implement the proposed reforms A number of consulting firms have responded to an advertisement requesting qualified firms to express their interest in providing the consulting services and the responses are currently being reviewed. It is expected that the consultant will be in place to enable the project to commence in the new school year. F. Expenditure Control and Revenue Enhancement Initiatives The RTD has responded to audits done in the department by first updated its Procedures Manual and implemented Internal Control Procedures to improve accountability and improve revenue collection. In addition the department will implement additional measures at its headquarters’ site as well as the two additional sites in New Providence (Carmichael Road and West Bay Street). All inspection books and counterfoils will be recalled with immediate effect (2nd May, 2016) and implement the following: Reissue of same to managers of the managers responsible who must sign for same Daily reconciliation  Inspection books issued  Motor vehicle counterfoils assets issued and held by cashiers  Drivers Licence printed