Caption: Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Eli Zakour
By Alicia Chamely
IN exploring ways to ease congestion on the nation’s roadways, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation is looking for public feedback on the establishment of a Park and Ride system.
A national Park and Ride survey will be launched on Friday to gauge public interest and feasibility.
This was announced at Thursday’s post cabinet press conference by Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Eli Zakour, who was responding to inquiries as to whether the government was looking at ways to reduce road traffic.
The question came in relation to Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism Satyakama Maharaj’s announcement that the age of limit for the importation of foreign used vehicles had been raised, allowing for older cars to be imported and sold at more competitive prices. These allowable age to import these vehicles has been raised from three years to under eight years from the date of manufacture.
Zakour was asked whether he was concerned that more cars would affect the nation’s already congested roadways, and whether an upgraded public transportation system would not be a better solution to the nation’s transportation needs.
The minister noted when he inherited the Public Transportation Services Corporation (PTSC) it was in a “very bad position” with 71 routes having been discontinued and only 100 buses in service versus the need for 300.
He said utilizing public transportation was an individual’s choice, as was using their own personal vehicles.
Zakour said one way in which the government was looking to address traffic, without restricting people’s access to affordable vehicles, was the implementation of a Park and Ride system.
He said to gauge public interest on the feasibility of the initiative the Ministry was launching a national Park and Ride survey on Friday.
Zakour said, “Tomorrow at the Ministry we will be launching a Park and Ride Survey where we are proposing a park and ride from Arima, Chaguanas, Couva, San Fernando to Port of Spain.
“Where persons can park their cars at safe locations, board a PTSC bus or Maxi Taxi concessioner and come into POS and then return to their vehicle at the end of the day.”
Zakour noted the survey would signal as to whether the service would be adequately utilized if established, noting it was a paid service.
