Mikael Phillips, Opposition Spokesman on Transport, criticized the Ministry of Transport for lacking a national parking plan, contributing to congestion in town centers like Papine Square. During a tour, he proposed temporary parking solutions and acknowledged the need for collaboration with local authorities for effective long-term strategies.
Mikael Phillips, the Opposition Spokesman on Transport in Jamaica, has criticized both the Ministry of Transport and the Transport Authority for lacking a cohesive national strategy to address parking deficiencies in urban centers. He attributes this shortcoming to heightened traffic congestion in areas like Papine Square in St Andrew where taxi drivers and commuters face significant challenges due to insufficient parking options.
During a recent tour of Papine Square with Patricia Duncan Sutherland, the PNP candidate for St Andrew Eastern, Phillips witnessed firsthand the chaotic conditions affecting transportation in the area. He stated that ineffective parking solutions are a primary cause of congestion in town centers and highlighted the ongoing issue of taxi licenses being issued without creating designated parking zones for drivers.
Phillips has raised concerns over the government’s overall transportation strategy, particularly regarding the expansion of Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) routes into rural areas, and pointed out the absence of an integrated national plan for various transportation modes. Despite new JUTC routes being authorized, the lack of adequate parking hinders effective implementation.
To alleviate immediate congestion in Papine, Phillips proposed using the lay-by behind the JUTC bus stop for taxi pickups and improving space management on Market Road to better support vendors and transportation operators. He acknowledged that resolving these issues will require collaboration with municipal corporations and the National Works Agency (NWA).
Moreover, Phillips criticized the Transport Authority and police for ticketing operators forced to park illegally due to a lack of designated spaces. “The Transport Authority would not have provided enough parking, but yet still, between the Transport Authority and the police, operators are being ticketed for parking on the streets,” he noted.
Phillips affirmed that while the PNP has not finalized solutions, they are actively engaging with transportation stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive plan for future governance.
Mikael Phillips has emphasized the need for a national parking strategy to combat transportation congestion in Jamaican urban centers. He proposes immediate temporary measures while recognizing that long-term solutions will necessitate partnerships with municipal authorities. His criticism of current policies highlights the challenges facing taxi operators, urging a coordinated response from the Transport Authority and police enforcement.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
