Business View Caribbean - Apr 2024

our service,” Mohamed states. This app will allow passengers to track buses in real-time, receive updates, and manage their smart cards, fostering a more connected and informed user experience. However, Mohamed acknowledges the smart card system’s limitations but is exploring innovative solutions to integrate digital fare payments without incurring prohibitive costs. “We’re taking baby steps towards digital integration, finding ways to circumvent the limitations of our outdated system,” he explains. This pragmatic approach balances ambition and financial reality to enhance service delivery within existing constraints. The conversation shifts towards sustainability, a domain where Arubus is taking bold steps. Mohamed highlights a recent service-level agreement with the government to transition the bus fleet to electric by 2030. “This is a monumental shift, not just in our operations but our mindset,” he notes. The transition involves extensive planning, from retraining staff to installing charging stations and evaluating the performance of electric buses in Aruba’s unique environment. Additionally, Arubus is advancing its sustainability efforts by constructing environmentally friendly bus stops that align with the LEED standard. “Even as a small player on a small island, we’re committed to making a significant environmental impact,” Mohamed asserts. This dual focus on cutting costs and reducing carbon emissions illustrates Arubus’s holistic approach to sustainability, viewing financial viability and environmental stewardship as complementary, not conflicting, goals. FORGING AHEAD: ARUBUS’S STRATEGIC COLLABORATIONS AND FUTURE PRIORITIES In the evolving landscape of public transportation on the sun-drenched isle of Aruba,Arubus N.V. is on a path of innovation and strategic partnerships under the stewardship of CEO Mohamed. Mohamed starts by unambiguously crediting the government as Arubus’s cornerstone partner. 55 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 11, ISSUE 04 ARUBUS N.V.