Business View Caribbean - Apr 2024

This adaptive strategy was not merely a response to reduced ridership but a forward-looking approach to enhance service efficiency and meet the diverse needs of passengers, from schoolchildren to hotel employees and tourists. “Our primary and most fruitful route is from San Nicholas to the hotel areas,” Mohamed begins, highlighting the lifeline of Aruba’s tourism sector. The pre-pandemic frequency of four to five buses per hour was recalibrated to three, a change aimed at optimizing occupancy rates and reducing operational losses.“This adjustment meant some passengers had to take an earlier bus, increasing occupancy rates from 80% to nearly 100%,” he explains. This strategic reduction ensured full buses and fostered a more sustainable model, balancing convenience against economic viability. Mohamed further illustrates the company’s dynamic response to fluctuating tourist volumes.“There were days last year when we had five cruise ships docked simultaneously, bringing in up to 15,000 visitors,” he recounts. Arubus maintains a fleet on standby to accommodate such surges and is ready to deploy additional buses as needed.“This flexibility allows us to effectively manage the influx of tourists, ensuring we can provide service whenever and wherever 53 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 11, ISSUE 04 ARUBUS N.V.