Cayman’s young people want a “safe, reliable, clean, cost effective” public transport system featuring large, modern, regular buses and indented bus stops – but no more new roads.
During the 16th Youth Parliament on Monday, 13 March, government and opposition representatives were unanimous that something drastic needed to be done about the traffic problem.
On presenting its private member’s motion to the House, the government said the existing buses cannot cater to an island of 75,000 people and the system needs to be reimagined.
However, Opposition members suggested public finances could be better spent on making much-needed improvements to what is already in place.
A broken system
Speaking for the government, George Town Central MP Elizabeth Thomas described a culture in Grand Cayman where people prefer to drive rather than walk or take a bus.
“Why would this not be the case when outside is hot and the current bus system is broken?” she asked the House.
Thomas argued that building new roads is an ineffective and unsustainable solution, adding there are numerous negative consequences for an island due to excessive car use.
Creating a more permanent fix will be difficult, she said, but “nothing in life worth doing is easy”.
Premier Lili Anne Aleria agreed that there is a problem with the current system and that Cayman’s roads are congested, describing it as an epidemic.
Among the related problems are greenhouse gases adding to climate change, gridlock on the roads, land being taken up by roads and the high costs of cars.
A solution is larger buses, she suggested, that run more regularly.
Minister of Tourism and Transport Amani Ebanks described a “traffic crisis” in which residents are having to leave their homes at 5am to make it into work on time.
To alleviate the problem, he suggested pick-up and drop-off buses for schools, indented bus stops and the introduction of a central transportation authority.
Bodden Town East MP Mia Groves said the government owes it to the people to create a system that is “effective, reliable, sustainable and hassle-free”.
She suggested businesses could become bus depots and receive a duty waiver; free bus passes for the elderly and teachers; and introducing a modern payment system.
Cameras could be installed to make the buses safer and inspectors employed to oversee safety and check tickets.
Solution through improvements
Cayman Brac West and Little Cayman MP Reann Matute-Scott, speaking for the Opposition, said their party represents all the people including the bus drivers.
She stressed that a solution should come from improving the current system, not by creating a new one.
West Bay North MP Zachary Allen said both parties recognise there is a need for a change, and applauded the government on bringing up the issue.
However, he also suggested changes rather than creating a new system, such as the introduction of route schedules in bus shelters.
West Bay Central MP Lorlie Bryan added that a new system would be “significantly expensive” and take money away from citizens.
Instead, there needs to be stricter regulations and a code of conduct for bus drivers, she said.
Several more young parliamentarians spoke for and against the motion during the session before casting their final ballot, which resulted in 11 for and 10 against the motion.
The entire session can be viewed on the Cayman Islands government YouTube channel.
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