ZR (bus)

Barbados Route Taxi (ZR) for Route 11 (Bridgetown to Silver Sands via Oistins) off route in Fairchild Street, Bridgetown. (1995)

A ZR (pronounced "Zed R", sometimes called route taxi) is a type of private taxi-bus system found in Barbados.

The vehicles are small vans, which mainly operate routes between the capital of Bridgetown and other terminals. They derive the name "ZR" from the license-plate code assigned to these vehicles. The two most popular routes are Bridgetown - Redman's Village (called ' No. 3 Black Rock, Wanstead, Redman's Village and Bridgetown - Silver Sands (called 'No. 11 Silver Sands via Ostins').

ZRs have a reputation for overcrowded vans and loud music, high speeds and abrupt stops, and drivers compete intensely among each other to attract riders. ZRs and minibuses give change for fare, while the large government-operated buses do not.

Terminals

ZRs have three main terminals:

• River Terminal, Bridgetown ( for Christ Church and parts of St Michael)
• Cheapside Terminal, Bridgetown ( for Saint James and parts of Saint Michael and Saint Thomas)
• Speightstown Terminal, Speightstown (for St. Lucy and St. Peter)

ZRs share terminals with minibuses, another bus company in Barbados

Routes

• 1 - Speightstown Terminal - Six Mens
• 2 - Speightstown Terminal - Indian Ground - Boscobelle - Mile and a Quarter
• 3 - Cheapside Terminal - Black Rock - Wanstead - Redman's Village
• 3D - River Terminal - Oistins - Parish Land - Airport
• 3Y - Cheapside Terminal - Warrens - Jackson
• 4 - Cheapside Terminal - Deacon's - Grazettes
• 5 - Cheapside Terminal - Bush Hall - National Stadium - Green Hill - Eden Lodge
• 6 - River Terminal - Bush Hall
• 7 - River Terminal - Ivy - Howells
• 8 - River Terminal - Forde's Road - Brittons Hill
• 9 - River Terminal - Beckles Road - Rendzevous
• 10 - River Terminal - Silver Hill - Gall Hill - Newton
• 11 - River Terminal - Oistins - Silver Sands
• 12 - River Terminal - Market Hill

See also

• Transport in Barbados#ZR Vans