Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, has said that the City Park and Ride Free Shuttle Service initiative is an excellent opportunity for Taxi Operators to be able to get back on their feet.

The Premier in his statement on Phase Two of the Economic Response Plan ‘Social Protection and Economic Stimulation in COVID-19’ said the operators who were unable to work due to COVID-19 are now afforded the opportunity to take care of themselves and their families.

Premier Fahie said one million dollars ($1M) was made available through the Social Security Grant towards, among other things, engage local taxi operators to provide the shuttle service.

Meanwhile, Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye Rymer  said the initiative grew out of the pilot ‘City Park and Ride Shuttle Service’ launched around the 2019 Christmas Season.

 The initiative was said to be a success and was further developed through collaboration with the Government of the Virgin Islands, the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities and the Virgin Islands Taxi Association.

Honourable Rymer stated that two shuttle routes have been meticulously designed to effectively move passengers throughout Road Town.

He said, “The shuttle service is available from the Green Line on the Festival Grounds or the Yellow Line from the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital Parking lot, Monday to Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. Motorists will be able to ride and park at no additional cost on the Festival Grounds or at the parking lot across from the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital.”

The park and ride shuttle service is a component of the efforts by the Government of the Virgin Islands to create a Pedestrian Friendly Road Town.

Other upcoming phases include:

• Installation of an additional lane going westbound coming out of Administration Drive onto Waterfront Drive to support vehicle capacity, enabling traffic flow towards the western part of Tortola
• Paid parking lots within the Road Town area

Motorists and other road users are asked to be cautious when using the roads. Adhere to all the traffic lights within the Territory at Administration and Waterfront DR, Station AVE, and at Pasea Estate.  Utilise the signs. Adhere to the lights. Buckle up and be careful.

Remember:  “Safe Driving Saves Lives”.