The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) has expressed support for the Government’s plans to construct flyovers and widen roads to ease the growing traffic congestion.
With more than 180 000 vehicles currently registered on the island and anticipated increases from measures promoting electric vehicle imports, CTUSAB recently warned that traffic density could worsen unless proactive steps were taken.
Highlighting the need for a long-term solution, CTUSAB urged that a national traffic management plan be integrated into broader urban and rural development strategies.
“Alignment of land use, property development and transport planning are critical to creating an efficient system,” the congress said in a press statement.
While admitting that flyover and road-widening projects would take time to implement, CTUSAB called for immediate action to address existing traffic nuisances. Of particular concern are unsafe practices by mini-bus and route taxi (ZR) operators whose disregard for designated laybys, often bringing traffic to a halt.
The congress also cited the practice of “dragging,” where vehicles deliberately slowed traffic and also practised indiscriminate stopping for passenger pick-ups.
It added that traffic disruptions were further compounded by garbage collection by the Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) during peak hours and roadworks that reduce lanes during busy periods. CTUSAB suggested that road maintenance be scheduled in the evenings, between 7 p.m. and midnight to minimise disruption.
The congress stressed that persistent traffic congestion directly affected workers, increasing stress, reducing work-life balance and lowering workplace productivity.
Lower-income commuters, who rely heavily on public transport, were particularly impacted, the statement noted. CTUSAB argued that any national traffic strategy must prioritise worker welfare, efficiency, and mobility, recognising the link between effective transportation, economic performance and social stability.
CTUSAB plans to present solutions to the Minister of Transport and Works Kirk Humphrey, urging immediate steps to mitigate congestion and reducing the loss of productive time on Barbados’ roads. (BA/PR)
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