People’s Progressive Movement leader Joey Hew on Monday pledged a modern transport network to keep pace with Cayman’s growth.
Hew said an integrated mass transit system and a public transport authority was vital to help boost the country’s economy and tackle congestion on the roads.
He added, “On public transport, it’s not rocket science and we did during the budget debate speak about it a little bit.”
Hew said he envisaged a government-run service with bus stations running in tandem with the existing private sector minibuses.
He added suitable sites for bus stations had already been identified at sites around Grand Cayman.
Hew said, “Any system has to be reliable, safe and convenient. If you’re going to have mass public transport, you need bus stations strategically placed next to places such as fire stations, schools, where it’s safe, not hidden.”
He added terminal buildings would have to be air conditioned, covered by security cameras and with vendors selling snacks, and that he anticipated “two or three” on main routes into George Town.
Hew emphasised a mass transport system was a “long-term” aim, but that improvements could be made in stages, such as an “Uber-style” system, where people could alert buses that they were waiting.
He added the “hop-on, hop-off” method used during the COVID-19 crisis that used tour buses left idle and the situation during major roadworks in the centre of George Town had provided inspiration for a new-style approach to transport.
Hew said a “park-and-ride” system, where people could leave their cars outside areas prone to rush-hour congestion and take minibus shuttle services into and around town, could also be introduced.
He added, “As we progress, we need a public transport authority with, these days, buses that are electric and comfortable.”
But Hew emphasised, “We would still need to support the privately owned buses and Caymanian drivers — they would still play a part.”
He was speaking after last Saturday’s campaign launch for the PPM at Compass Green in George Town, where he mentioned the need for a modernised transport system, which would also boost the country’s green credentials.
Hew said, “It’s very important because we can’t build our way out of these traffic issues. I don’t care how many roads you build.
“As we grow our population and as a country, we need to develop our public transport as well.”
Related Videos
This is laughable. Guess the new DP, KB will be spearheading as before? Man same old style and same old people with the same old story…….time for big changes!
Not many people will use it and it will need to be heavily subsidized. Most residents own or want a car. Like the “shuttle bus” from the cricket ground to central George Town. By the way what happened to that new bus?
It’s called UBER and LYFT. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. The taxi lobby in Japan didn’t like Uber, but eventually it came. When you call a car there a TAXI shows up, through the Uber app. Surely we can make a rule that UBER licenses are only available to Caymanians Taxi Drivers and get on with welcoming these two platforms that everyone is familiar with.
Tourists come and look down at their familiar software to hail a ride. Creating an all new app that you force people to download just doesn’t make any sense. This shouldn’t be controversial
I thought this study was done several years ago and nothing was done Instead of reinventing the wheel just use the recommendations paid for already