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Paid parking in RT among plans to address traffic woes - Hon Rymer

- says comprehensive study underway to reduce traffic congestion
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) says his ministry is working to address traffic congestion and parking issues in the capital city and this will start with the commissioning of a study on the traffic flows in the area. Photo: VINO
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5). Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5). Photo: VINO/File
According to Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), his Ministry is working to create formalised parking at Festival Grounds. Photo: VINO/File
According to Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), his Ministry is working to create formalised parking at Festival Grounds. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) says his ministry is working to address traffic congestion and parking issues in the capital city and this will start with the commissioning of a study on the traffic flows in the area.

Speaking during the Seventh Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on October 17, 2019, Hon Rymer said:, "With increased economic activity in the tourism and financial business sectors and young people turning 18 years of age, we continue to see more motor vehicles on the roadways."

More cars on Roadways 

The former Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) added that the further increases in economic activities anticipated as the diversification of the economy lifts off will put more strain on the territory's already limited and congested infrastructure.

Hon Rymer said his ministry, as a result, is working to find innovative strategic methods to address traffic congestion while fostering a pedestrian-friendly capital city.

"I am leading a comprehensive study on the traffic flows in the Road Town area with the inclusion of the RVIPF traffic unit, the Town and Country Planning Department, the Public Works Department, Dr Drexel Glasgow and the Ministry of Transportation Works and Utilities," Hon Rymer told the House.

He said the study will aid in taking the guesswork out of traffic management and planning, "as we look towards the short-medium and long term development programme."

In addition, the minister noted that in all countries, there are peak hours that promote the increased movement of traffic flows, hence, this creates bottlenecks and increases the disruption to efficient traffic flows.

Paid Parking in RT

Issues such as the need to redirect traffic, to outline movement of vehicles in and out of parking lots, in addition to reducing the need for a motorist to drive in the central capital city, are short term plans that should bring relief to traffic congestion.

Further, Hon Rymer noted that his Ministry is also working to create formalised parking at the Festival Grounds, a new shuttle service, implementing traffic counters, in addition to creating a one direction traffic loop in the capital city to dramatically improve traffic flows.

"Parking in the central capital will attract a fee and these funds will be contributed towards the upkeep of the parking and roadways in Roadtown."

He said the changes proposed will work to create a city that is pedestrian-friendly and improve the quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors.

26 Responses to “Paid parking in RT among plans to address traffic woes - Hon Rymer”

  • Looking on (22/10/2019, 12:42) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
    How much millions for the study tell us plz? Just limited 2 vehicles per household.
    • PAID PARKING? (22/10/2019, 13:36) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
      Paid parking isn't the issue look at this morning the traffic was the worst it has ever been. Sadly none of the cars were trying to park. Stop lights have contributed to a larger influx of traffic in the mornings.
    • wise up (22/10/2019, 19:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Limit u m.......k
  • driver (22/10/2019, 12:55) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Need a tow truck system also. Drivers always blocking other drivers park vehicles .
  • opposition (22/10/2019, 14:31) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    It need paid parking so his mother in law could make more money....Way to go minister
    • Hush (23/10/2019, 07:19) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      You and your bitter mouth. Ppl like ayo need jail from talking foolishness..... What his mother in law got to do with this???????? I think this is one awesome thing the Minister is implementing. Let's get it started!
  • Lord o (22/10/2019, 14:47) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    Hope we don't need another paid consultant for this simple problem with an easy solution. Here is my suggestions.. 1/ Paid Parking .. 2/ Passenger Bus / Car Terminal drop off and pick up must be enforced ... If we can get a cross walk light at every cross walk when it stops it stops for 1 minute every 9,minutes so 8-10-12 pedestrian can cross at one time instead of a drive have to stop every time to let one person cross... Most time these people cross with no urgency...
    • @ Lord Great idea.. (23/10/2019, 07:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I like the Pedestrian crossing lights idea a lot. I think a minute is too long.. They all can cross in 20 - 25 seconds.....
  • NezRez (22/10/2019, 16:07) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    What we need are public buses like in st Thomas, St. John etc. This will encourage people to leave their cars home sometimes. I would love not having to look for parking. This mornings traffic was unbelievable. We were backed up so far coming from east. I really thought there was an accident. We need paid parking for revenue. I am a firm believer in helping government collect revenue. I really don’t know where all of the cars are going to park. Lunch time is the same. Instead of people parking in the morning and walking at lunch time, they drive everywhere as though walking was a crime. Walking around is exercise we need after sitting at a desk all day.
  • tretretrete (22/10/2019, 16:19) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is where you have to look at building other road to get to town. People who block roads to stop and buy food, People who parking bad, People stopping to gaff.....you need to start there.
  • holla (22/10/2019, 16:37) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    At some point we will have to consider limiting the number of cars per person. As the population continues to grow this will get worse unless we get serious about the matter.
  • rewrsdffds (22/10/2019, 16:54) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The lights do need adjusting, but the dam traffic was due to that whole them dig up yesterday by the moorings entrance and ain cover properly... with the time it take for people to slow down and cross, time taking away from the light.....
  • Too true (22/10/2019, 17:30) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Going forwards any new office/commercial buildings in Road Town should have parking on lower level(s),
  • The Reaper (22/10/2019, 17:34) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Bvi we have A problem. It’s too later ...U all kill my Country
  • biker (22/10/2019, 18:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    On normal work days just charge a toll to drive any vehicle in Road Town. The toll system can be prepaid with electronic monitoring. The cops just hang out at the inbound toll stations and chase down the vehicles that don't have the electronic ID on their windscreen. There will be revenue from the sale of the ID stickers and probably more revenue from all the fines!

    This type of vehicle admission system is used in lots of villages, towns, city centers and highways in Europe and North America.
  • WHAT!!! (22/10/2019, 19:19) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Gonna be a big problem getting out of there onto the two lane highway
  • Help (22/10/2019, 20:10) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Over the last ten years the BVI has become over populated. Every one that cannot survive in their large country migrate to the BVI. It is all about the US dollar not for the love of the BVi.



  • Truth! (22/10/2019, 20:53) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    we were better off on donkeys
  • Yes (22/10/2019, 21:59) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Paid parking aren’t we already paying ridiculous taxes they going to build a paid parking lot with our tax money an still charge us to park come on bvi ppl are suffering
  • E. Leonard (23/10/2019, 05:34) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The prime cause for traffic congestion in Road Town, Tortola/BVI capital city. Road Town is the financial, business, entertainment......etc centre of the BVI; the seat of government is also located in Road Town. Further, a booming economy (slowed down by monster hurricanes Irma and Maria), coupled with population growth, has increased the number of vehicles on Tortola. However, the infrastructure (roads) has not grown commensurately with the increase in the number of vehicles. Simply, there are too many vehicles, too few roads (little to no alternate routes) and too few parking spaces; it has a volume: capacity issue. Here are a few engineering and administrative actions to lessen the congestion and improve motoring/driving in Road Town: a. Decentralize government and business services out of Road Town, b.establish a public transportation system, c. establish a park and ride system, d) install parking meters (already being proposed), e)incentavize motorists using mass transportation (may be a tough sell)......etc. For the longer-term planning, parking garages, additional infrastructure..........etc should be considered.
  • rewrsdffds (23/10/2019, 11:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need another route/road in and out of town... periodt!
  • resident (23/10/2019, 12:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The territory can really benefit from a well thought out bus service. On a recent visit to England I saw how well organised the bus service and train service is. Exactly on time! My relative's car is 10 years old with only 30 000 miles because she prefers to ride buses and trains albeit crowded at peak hours! They are readily available and cheap.
    For people who live on the hills they can drive down to parking areas in the communities and take the bus into town.
  • Car pool (23/10/2019, 15:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Car pool. Car pool. Car pool.
  • Paid parking (24/10/2019, 11:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another bill on people that are already suffering and can hardly afford to support their families. Bills, bills every day man can't pay. Go Hon Fahie!!!!!!!! Great job!!!!
  • Paid parking (24/10/2019, 14:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hahaha. If its more than a dollar it will be empty lot!


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