THERE IS a new set of wheels in town that are ready for ‘de road’.
And its owners are promising once Barbadians board the luxurious cabin they will rethink what they know about the party bus experience.
Manager of entertainment and transportation company 30 Sumten, Felicia Vaughan, said that the decked-out freight liner limousine Fete Pon Wheels Party Bus was eight years in the making.
She told WEEKEND BUZZ that after seeing what the local entertainment scene had to offer, she wanted to bring something different to the masses.
“We were in discussion that when the Harbour Master left that may be time to launch, and that’s what we did,” she said.
So far they have embarked on two trips including the 30 Sumten launch party on May 13 and transported Trinidadian entertainers Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin and The Voice from the Grantley Adams International Airport to attend the 1Love press conference at the Crane Resort on Tuesday.
However, she said before they made it onto local roads, she went through a very thorough process with the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW).
It was this process she said was the hardest part to deal with, once the 40ft long, 9ft wide and 11 ft high bus reached Barbados.
After working out concerns that included the length of the bus, which measures 40ft long, 9ft wide and 11 ft high, ensuring night lights to illuminate the massive vehicle were ready, the bus was road ready.
“It was almost three weeks battling with the MTW getting everything ready for the road, [but] I understand where they were coming from. Though you want to bring this new concept to Barbados, we still had to be mindful of the safety of Barbadians,” she said.
The 30 Sumten manager also said that there will be strict security measures for patrons to follow.
“Our security personnel must be onboard at all times. People will also be searched before boarding and at any party where there are stops when passengers disembark, they are to be searched again,” she said.
The party bus seats 26 people who must be 18 years or older, comes equipped with air-conditioning, mirror-ceilings, dinner lights, floor lights, a portable bar, a DJ booth, a television, and bathroom. Packages inclusive of drinks range from $3 700 to $4 600.
She said she knew locals will compare their experience to the already established bus crawls but she sought to make a clear distinction.
“I don’t think that Barbadians grasped the concept of what we’re offering. It’s a party bus yes and people are sceptical because of the party buses we have here now . . . . But if you are paying over $3 000 with all-inclusive drinks would you want to get off at a bar and pay additional money?,” she asked. (TG)
