Topic: traffic jam

Premier Wayne Panton has apologised to commuters who throughout today have spent hours stuck in long traffic jams, caused by the closure of the main thoroughfare in George Town for Pirates Fest activities.

Four commuters, four different modes of transport, two routes, one race. Car vs. bike, kayak vs. bus. To conclude our month-long series investigating causes of, and potential solutions to, the island’s traffic troubles, we wanted to challenge the assumption that the car is still the best way to travel in Cayman. So we put it to the test in a rush-hour race.

From electric scooters to one-wheel e-skateboards, new types of battery powered vehicles are helping a growing number of commuters dodge the traffic.

As Cayman looks to update its Development Plan for the first time in more than two decades, managing traffic has moved up the list of priorities.

Opposite the Westin hotel on West Bay Road, a couple unloads groceries and beach towels from the basket of a distinctive green-and-white bicycle.

In the plush interior of the Arch Automotive showroom in Camana Bay, I push a button on my smartphone and a map lights up with four ‘Zun’ icons, indicating the location of available vehicles.

At one of Cayman’s biggest businesses, the conversation about congestion is going beyond talk. Dart’s internal innovation unit, known as Dart Labs, is road testing solutions.

Government is considering bigger buses and new routes as it seeks to improve public transport and encourage people to leave their cars behind, says Rosa Harris, chair of the Public Transport Board.