Dominica to launch 1st ever Transit Map to boost bus system accessibility

Dominica: In a groundbreaking move, Dominica is all set to have its first transit map. The project, known as the Original Roseau City Bus Stop Map, was launched in June 2024 and aims to boost the accessibility of the island’s bus system for both tourists and locals.

The Founder of Fifty One Books, Rashida Serrant Davis, came up with this unique idea of conceptualizing the Roseau City map after drawing inspiration from her upbringing in New York City and the transit maps of the MPA – Metropolitan Transit Authority. 

For this significant project, Rashida collaborated with Project Assistant Kytel Daniel and Graphic Designer Ayomidimeji. The team then came up with a comprehensive map which was also featured in Rashida’s recent book titled ‘Greater Than a Tourist Dominica: 50 Travel Tips from a Local’.

According to the information, the map with cater to tourists and residents alike, particularly the ones who travel by bus on a routine basis.

The map will provide them with up-to-date bus stop locations, served destinations, ATM locations, notable landmarks and free wifi hotspots throughout the city of Roseau.

Not only this, but the project also welcomes micro, small as well as aspiring medium sized enterprises to participate and be featured on the map.

Notably, more than 15 business owners in Dominica have already joined and there business’ location will be shown on the map.

Davis expressed her immense happiness with business owners to learn about their narratives and aspirations regarding this new and unique project. She further invited diverse sectors to gain visibility through this new initiative.

The developers of the Original Roseau City Bus Stop Map hope to attract the attention of bus drivers and their associations while acknowledging the island’s dependable public transportation system, which is mainly operated by private minibus drivers.

Rashida Serrant Davis highlighted the economic importance of buses and motivated drivers to embrace the chance to showcase Dominica’s beauty to tourists as well as the diaspora.

She further outlined that the buses are an important part of Dominica’s economy, and the nation is well mapped out with bus service for the most part. She added that it is time for the bus drivers to take in front of some visitors and diaspora, like seeking the island by bus.

Project Assistant Kytel Daniel anticipated the project’s completion and expressed confidence that the locals would embrace the map upon its official launch.

She unveiled plans for annual updates and new collaborations, a digital version will be accessible through dominicabybus.com.

The goal of the developers is to distribute 5000 printed maps locally and launch its web version during the 2024 Independence Season. This will allow visitors to know the island and its locations better.