Mikael Phillips, the Opposition Spokesman on Transport, criticized the Jamaican Ministry of Transport for failing to create a national parking plan, worsening congestion in areas like Papine Square. He proposed immediate measures to alleviate parking issues and criticized ticketing practices against operators. Phillips highlighted the need for stakeholder collaboration to develop effective transportation solutions.
On March 2, 2025, in Kingston, Jamaica, Opposition Spokesman on Transport, Mikael Phillips, expressed his discontent with the Ministry of Transport and the Transport Authority regarding their failure to implement a national plan for addressing parking issues in town centers. Phillips stated that the lack of designated parking spaces has worsened congestion, particularly in areas such as Papine Square, where taxi operators and commuters face significant challenges due to inadequate facilities.
During a recent tour of Papine Square with the People’s National Party (PNP) candidate Patricia Duncan Sutherland, Phillips witnessed firsthand the transportation difficulties caused by congestion. He highlighted the absence of coordinated efforts to provide designated parking even amid the ongoing issuance of taxi licenses, asserting that effective parking solutions were crucial to alleviating traffic issues in urban areas.
Phillips further critiqued the Government’s overall approach to transportation, particularly noting the expansion of Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) routes into rural regions without a clear integration plan for different transport modes. He emphasized that while taxi licenses are being granted, the lack of adequate parking hinders their effective implementation and compromises transportation efficiency.
To address the congestion in Papine Square, Phillips proposed several immediate measures: utilizing the lay-by behind the JUTC bus stop for taxi pick-ups and drop-offs, and optimizing the Market Road area to better accommodate transportation operators alongside vendors. He acknowledged that these medium- and long-term solutions would require collaboration with municipal corporations and the National Works Agency (NWA), but stressed the urgent need for improved parking provisions.
Moreover, he criticized the actions of the Transport Authority and local police who issue tickets to taxi operators forced to park illegally due to insufficient designated spaces. Phillips remarked on this contradiction, saying, “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,” underlining the unfairness of these penalties.
While the PNP does not have all the solutions at present, Phillips affirmed that the party is actively engaging transportation stakeholders to gather insights for strategic planning upon their anticipated return to power in the Government.
In conclusion, Mikael Phillips has raised significant concerns about the lack of a cohesive national strategy for addressing parking issues in Jamaica’s town centers, particularly highlighting Papine Square. He has proposed practical, immediate solutions for easing congestion and criticized the penalties imposed on taxi operators due to inadequate parking. The need for a coordinated approach involving multiple stakeholders is essential for the development of effective transportation solutions in Jamaica.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
