PM TOURS HALF WAY TREE TRANSPORTATION CENTRE

On the tour from left to right: Mr.Andrew Watt of the contractors, Transurb Jamaica Ltd; Prime Minister P.J Patterson; Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport and Works, Dr. Fenton Ferguson(partly hidden); Minister Robert Pickersgill and Mayor Desmond McKenzie.

A team headed by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, Minister Robert Pickersgill, Mayor Desmond McKenzie and representatives of Transurb Jamaica Ltd., toured the site of the Half Way Tree Transport Centre on Thursday, March 2, 2006.

Speaking on the tour, Prime Minister Patterson said that the Centre was ‘necessary and long overdue’. He noted that it was ‘something of a balancing act in accommodating (financing for) the Centre without depriving other vital areas of the economy. “I wish that the Project will be a monument to affording the public an opportunity to travel in dignity”, he added. He thanked the Belgian government for the massive support that they have been providing in terms of technical and financial assistance to the project.

For his part, Minister Pickersgill highlighted the fact that the project will be an important aspect to the Urban Traffic Management Programme and the Ministry’s efforts at managing regulating traffic in the Corporate Area and in particular, the ultra busy Half Way Tree area. He said he was pleased to see the progress being made on the project and that he was looking forward to its successful completion in 2007.

Also speaking on the tour was Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie who said he was ‘fully supportive of the construction of the Centre”. He opined that the city’s traffic woes should be greatly enhanced by the Centre.

The construction of the Centre constitutes an upgrade of the public transport system and will provide for:
• the centralisation of buses in one facility
• shelter from the elements for commuters
• restrooms and shops
• surveillance cameras and guards to boost security
• good communication system re: information on buses
• a good meeting place for commuters

The Centre will cater for:
• 60 bus routes
• 32 bus stops
• 21 bus waiting spaces
• and a capacity for 640 buses per hour.

The Centre is being constructed at a cost of approximately 49 million Euros and is expected for completion in September 2007. Main contractor is Transurb Jamaica Ltd.