AOPT backs PM on traffic congestion talks

The head of the organisation representing public service vehicle (PSV) owners is in support of Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s plan for a “serious discussion” about traffic congestion clogging the nation’s roads and highways.

Chairman of Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) Roy Raphael told Barbados TODAY that traffic levels had become a nightmare for PSV operators and commuters alike.

With the stark rise in the number of vehicles on the road within the last few decades, some form of action needed to be taken to reduce traffic during peak hours, Prime Minister Mottley told last Thursday’s Parish Speaks town hall meeting in St Lucy.

She said: “We are going to have to have a serious conversation as a nation about the issue of traffic because it is no sense having a car if when you have the car you can’t get to where you want to go on a small island. Therefore, there will be multiple solutions, and there will probably have to be a major set of engagements throughout this year that the Deputy Prime Minister [Santia Bradshaw] will lead, to begin to get to the bottom of how best we can do it.”

Giving his full support, Raphael said: “The time has come, basically, for a serious discussion – for the members of the public, the Prime Minister and stakeholders of the transport sector to sit down among themselves and look at the way forward as it relates to traffic on the road. 

“It [already] has a direct effect on us as PSV operators. It has now gotten to the level where it is a headache. It has become an issue for us in terms of how we get to and from one destination. Years ago, we could probably do two or three trips within the rush hour, but we realise now that can’t happen.”

The AOPT head acknowledged that a solution to the traffic problem would be difficult and would require approaches on several fronts. 

He suggested an islandwide park-and-ride system and the introduction of a privately-run school bus service, “not operated by ZR operators but a private school bus service similar to what happens in the [United] States and England”.

“This is where persons are given special permits to operate a private school bus service,” Raphael explained. 

“The government needs to look at some concessions that would allow persons to put down their vehicle and to encourage more people to use public transport, which would make it easier on us generally and on the roads as well.”

He also urged a feasibility study to aid future decisions. 

shamarblunt@barbadostoday.bb