CTUSAB urges swift action to ease worsening traffic gridlock

Barbados’ umbrella labour body, the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB), on Tuesday pressed the government to act quickly on short-term fixes to ease mounting traffic congestion, warning that the country’s expanding vehicle fleet and slow infrastructure rollout risk deepening daily commuting frustration.

In a set of proposals, CTUSAB backed the administration’s infrastructure push but noted that delays in implementation could worsen an already strained road network, even as long-term plans for flyovers and road widening take shape.

“Inasmuch that the island currently has over 180 000 registered vehicles on its roads, and with an anticipated increase given the government’s measures to enable the importation of electric vehicles, there is the distinct possibility that problems associated with the density of traffic on the roads will be exacerbated,” CTUSAB said.

It argued that while major projects are necessary, “it becomes imperative that a long-term traffic management plan is developed and operationalised”, anchored in integrated national planning that aligns land use, development and transport.

But the Congress stressed that immediate, practical interventions are needed while those projects are being rolled out.

Among the key concerns raised was the conduct of some public service vehicle operators, with CTUSAB calling for “an immediate halt to unsafe road practices” by minibuses and route taxis that impede traffic flow, the statement said, also highlighting the practice of vehicles stopping abreast and the long-standing issue of “dragging”.

The union body further flagged garbage collection during peak hours as a contributor to delays, noting that while the work is necessary, its timing adds to congestion. It suggested the Sanitation Service Authority review its operations to “reduce the inconvenience to the travelling public”.

Road works came under scrutiny as well, with CTUSAB recommending that maintenance be shifted to off-peak hours, particularly between 7 pm and midnight, to avoid reducing roadways to single lanes during busy periods.

The Congress further highlighted the toll congestion is taking on workers, cautioning that prolonged commutes are affecting productivity, well-being and family life.

“Workers are often required to leave their homes significantly earlier and return later, affecting family life and overall well-being,” it said, adding that delays in public transport “disproportionately affect lower-income workers who rely heavily on these services”.

“CTUSAB therefore maintains that any national traffic management strategy must place the welfare, efficiency, and mobility of workers at its core, recognising that an effective transport system is integral to economic performance and social stability.”

The Congress said it intends to share its proposals with Minister of Transport and Works Kirk Humphrey, as national discussions on traffic management continue following recent public consultations.

Earlier, the Mia Mottley administration signalled that construction of long-promised flyovers will begin this year, part of what the prime minister described as an aggressive push to tackle congestion and improve productivity. 

Transport minister Kirk Humphrey also outlined a broader overhaul of the system, including a strengthened Mass Transit Authority and greater discipline on the roads.

CTUSAB maintains that while those solutions are pursued, “implementable” short-term actions are needed to bring immediate relief to motorists and commuters.