Transport and mobility

Transportation to and from the city and surrounding areas.

The problem.

Trinidad and Tobago has a population of 1.35 million people and over approximately 3 million vehicles. Every day, new vehicles are being placed on to the busy roads and increasing the congestion in the urban Trinidad. When travelling to Port of Spain or to Tunapuna by car or mass transit, there is heavy traffic on the highway and on Eastern Main Road. These two congested major roads have made the government to take the decision to construct flyovers to ease the busyness on the roads; however, the constructions of flyovers are very expensive and take time.

The strategic plan and route that works.

Priority Bus Route PBR

The Priority Bus Route, I think, it is one of the greatest planned routes in the Caribbean; the creation of the route was made by using the old railroad track route which went from Port of Spain to Arima. This eased burden for those who did not own a car and those who preferred to use the mass transit. The route was originally supposed to be used by the government buses, but has since expanded to allow as time private maxis. 

The introduction of articulated buses was intended to transport more passengers than the conventional bus and maxi. These articulated buses   also save fuel and reduce the number of buses on the road, while still maintaining a sizeable passenger capacity. Despite its success, the system can be further modified to improve mass transit. Some suggestions include:  increase the use of articulate buses, park and ride system and rail mass transit. Firstly, the use of the bus is a growing movement in Trinidad, not only does it get you to and from destinations but it is reliable. Secondly, the use of park and ride is great an example found in Barbados, the owners of cars would park their cars in a protected car park and travel to Bridgetown on a bus. If this idea is used then this would reduce the amount of cars in Port of Spain during rush hour. Finally, we must realize that Trinidad is not yet ready to use rail mass transit. Although it is a great idea, the cost and energy would turn away investors.

Churchill Roosevelt Highway

 Mobility in Port of Spain

BMX Bicycle

The bicycle is one of the great inventions of mobility. I t may be old fashioned, but it is more reliable than many new transport technologies. The use of a bicycle in a city would allow the flexibility of reducing spaces and using an eco-friendly transport. Although using a bicycle is dangerous, it would allow the user access to areas a car cannot not go. Compared to the larger cities, Port of Spain is small and it is a good place to use a bicycle in the city limits. Finally, Port of Spain is primarily a pedestrian city, due to its narrow streets and heavy pedestrian traffic. . Owing to the increase of traffic in Port of Spain, I ponder the fact that people will get tired of the traffic and use the mass transit or even buy more bicycles.