Dear Editor,
Following on the heels of the recently announced increase in bus fares, I was delighted to read of the proposed intention to introduce a "Park and Ride" programme from Portmore. When I occupied a position as a government employee, I encouraged such a move, going as far as taking the bus myself. But I went even further than limiting it to Portmore, in that I believe that park areas should be at all entry points to the city, viz Constant Spring, Ferry and Harbour View. This as a fairly large percentage of motorists in the Corporate Area who drive to work do not return to their cars until "going home" time.
Such a move would increase the volume of passengers on the bus and thereby obviate the need for an increase in fares. The main segment of the motoring public which may, at first, not be persuaded to this park and ride recourse are the parents who presently drop off their children at school. As schoolchildren represent a large percentage of the fare-paying public, a survey could be done geared to providing buses at specific times (morning and afternoon) which would transport students only on routes that would incorporate as many schools as possible.
As Kingston expands daily and we have no foreseeable plans for building subways, we have to move with the times and learn to avoid the threatened gridlock.
Howard Hamilton CD, QC, JP
Duke Street,
Kingston
Yes to "Park and ride"
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Following on the heels of the recently announced increase in bus fares, I was delighted to read of the proposed intention to introduce a "Park and Ride" programme from Portmore. When I occupied a position as a government employee, I encouraged such a move, going as far as taking the bus myself. But I went even further than limiting it to Portmore, in that I believe that park areas should be at all entry points to the city, viz Constant Spring, Ferry and Harbour View. This as a fairly large percentage of motorists in the Corporate Area who drive to work do not return to their cars until "going home" time.
Such a move would increase the volume of passengers on the bus and thereby obviate the need for an increase in fares. The main segment of the motoring public which may, at first, not be persuaded to this park and ride recourse are the parents who presently drop off their children at school. As schoolchildren represent a large percentage of the fare-paying public, a survey could be done geared to providing buses at specific times (morning and afternoon) which would transport students only on routes that would incorporate as many schools as possible.
As Kingston expands daily and we have no foreseeable plans for building subways, we have to move with the times and learn to avoid the threatened gridlock.
Howard Hamilton CD, QC, JP
Duke Street,
Kingston
Yes to "Park and ride"
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