Minister for Transportation Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye Rymer has said that the implementation of the Park and Ride initiative launched during the holiday season was beneficial and will become a permanent service.

Honourable Rymer said the initiative reduced traffic and parking congestion, increased pedestrian mobility, reduced carbon emissions and increased social interaction.  He said that overall, the City of Road Town Park and Ride  was well received and utilised by city employees, who left their vehicles in their respective parking lots and were transported in the city to do their errands.

The minister said, “There is still work that needs to be done in order to implement this great initiative to the people of the Virgin Islands, the formalising of the festival grounds as a parking lot to coexist festival activities; improving the pedestrian experience in the city, to include sidewalks, and shades by way of more trees for shade; and designating and implementing official bus stops.”

The service commenced on December 16 and recorded a total of 120 passengers on its first day with the use of the two electric cars and two drivers.  An average of 75 passengers was recorded with the heaviest usage between 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Honourable Rhymer said the Public Private Partnership with Romasco Group on the pilot project was a seamless and successful venture and expressed thanks to Ms. Patti Romney of Romasco Group for their sponsorship of the 2 Electric Carts and two drivers (Fitzroy Surf and David Forbes) for the pilot.      

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie stated in his 2020 budget address that striving to ‘Go Green’ and foster sustainable development is part of the plans for the Virgin Islands.

The Ministry of Transportation Works and Utilities remains dedicated to the implementation of innovated initiatives inline with the Premiers goals to bring relief to the people of the Virgin Islands.