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QR code verification, cool air conditioning, and a welcoming smile: immediate boarding aboard Saint-Barth’s shuttle, the Ti’Bus SBH. Currently the only one of its kind on the road, this daily route is gradually reshaping local transportation. Amid regulars, sports talk, and construction zone lights, we toured the island alongside Jean-Christophe Muscat, a driver with infectious energy.
On board, the atmosphere is cheerful. This morning, there are only two passengers besides the driver. Across from me sits a local resident in workout clothes. Between the bus’s controlled jolts, conversation flows naturally: we’re talking sports. “Surfing is really my ultimate goal!” she says.
On the road, the driving is cautious. The route takes us from Saint-Jean to Lorient. But right in front of the Monoprix Maison, the vehicle suddenly slows down. “Ah, the big bad traffic light!” smiles the driver with his lilting accent. A construction zone traffic light—a daily cause of traffic slowdowns on the island. “And still, thank goodness it’s not a school day—otherwise it’d be even worse,” he jokes. Once past this traffic hotspot, we head toward Saline. A complete change of scenery: not a soul in sight, just a peaceful, pleasant road.
Jean-Christophe: A Commitment to Service
At the wheel is Jean-Christophe Muscat—“Muscat, like the wine!” he points out with a laugh. A former driver in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, he settled in Saint Barth on November 5 before taking the wheel of the shuttle on December 1.
“That was my job in France,” he says. “The setting has changed, but the job remains the same.” ” Behind the wheel since 6 a.m., Jean-Christophe works his shift until 1 p.m., before handing off to his colleague, who takes over until 8 p.m. And while there are slow periods during school breaks, the rest of the time, Jean-Christophe assures us that the bus is always full: “When school’s in session, I pick up two teachers who live right behind here, and about ten kids who go to school in Gustavia. We’re already full by 6 a.m.”
Beyond just driving, Jean-Christophe builds connections. “I talk a lot! I get to know everyone. I have my regulars, and I have newcomers who’ll become regulars.”
The shuttle’s popularity isn’t just because people lack cars. “Generally, all the riders have cars,” explains Jean-Christophe. “But it’s convenient for getting to Gustavia without dealing with parking hassles. For teachers, it fits perfectly into their schedules. And for parents whose kids take the shuttle to middle school or the stadium, it means four fewer trips during the day.”
This sentiment is shared by other riders we met another day at the bus stop, like Julie, for whom the shuttle became a true lifesaver after her car broke down: “I’m taking it just this once today,” she said as she boarded. “Honestly, thank goodness it’s here—it’s saving my day!”
Traffic jams and roadwork as a backdrop
“During peak season, the problem is traffic jams. But off-season, the roadwork is a nightmare! Still, the locals are really happy with the service. The only minor complaints sometimes come from newcomers who bring a bit of that big-city grumbling with them because there’s only one bus per hour. But we have to keep in mind that before, there was no service like this at all.”
After just under a year in operation, the Ti’Bus SBH seems to be gradually gaining riders. It now needs to establish itself as a regular part of the local landscape.
Ti’Bus SBH: a free shuttle service operated by the Collectivité de Saint-Barthélemy, running Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
More Shuttles
The Territorial Collectivity has announced the introduction of additional shuttles to cover the routes. The goal: to improve the efficiency of the Ti’Bus SBH service. The target interval between shuttles is now set at 15 minutes, traffic conditions permitting. In addition, to ensure the route runs smoothly and to avoid delays, the Territorial Collectivity also reminds drivers to respect the spaces reserved for shuttles and not to park there. A reserved space must remain free to allow shuttles to circulate and provide their service under the best possible conditions.
