Public service vehicle owners urged the government to put the brakes on its planned two‑lane traffic pilot on the eve of its introduction, warning that the project could disrupt services and create confusion if introduced without proper consultation.
The plan involves turning some two-lane roads into one-way dual carriageways at peak times.
But, on Friday, the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) suggested an alternative which would introduce the PSVs to a “free lane” on the ABC Highway in the morning and evening rush hour.
On Friday, the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) released a statement on the phased introduction of comprehensive traffic management strategies aimed at enhancing road safety, reducing congestion, and improving the overall transport experience for residents, commuters, and visitors.
The statement followed Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s announcement that the first phase of the project would be implemented at Station Hill and Collymore Rock in St Michael, and at St Lawrence in Christ Church. She explained that the measures were intended to reduce traffic congestion during the morning rush hour into the city and in the evening out of the city.
The key strategies include one‑way traffic flows along arteries such as St Lawrence (Highway 7), Waterford (Highway 3), and Two Mile Hill (Highway 5) during peak hours; AI‑augmented traffic lights prioritising buses; GPS‑equipped buses linked to the traffic management system; park and ride facilities at key locations; staggered school hours and offsite drop‑off areas; and an expanded electric school bus fleet.
Jason Bowen, MTW’s deputy chief technical officer in charge of design services, said the strategies would be introduced in stages and fine‑tuned through consultation with the Barbados Police Service, the Transport Authority, the Transport Board, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the PSV representative bodies.
He added that the pilot project will be “along certain routes which allows for testing on a small scale to identify potential problems, gather feedback, and refine the plan before a full‑scale launch. The pilot stage will also allow for the capturing of valuable additional data as well as the feedback of stakeholders and residents of areas along the pilot traffic corridors”.
But declaring that AOPT had not been consulted ahead of the announcement, chairman Roy Raphael called for a pause on the project and proper consultation before implementation.
Raphael said: “We asked the government to put the brakes on it and to allow the persons to meet with the public service vehicle operator, which will have a greater effect on us… it can create some issues.”
He explained that while congestion often forces operators off their usual routes, prompting complaints from residents, the plan needed to be properly executed.
He suggested an alternative plan. “So I’m saying that the initiative is not bad, we welcome it. There’s other initiatives that the government needs to put on the table as well such as giving us a free lane on the ABC Highway between the hours of seven and ten and from afternoon from two until six, meaning that a free lane will [facilitate] those operators who operate on the ABC Highway.”
Raphael also suggested that emergency vehicles and PSVs be prioritised, and that police officers assist with traffic at key intersections to help manage flow.
louriannegraham@barbadostoday.bb
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