ST CATHERINE, Jamaica (JIS) – The town of Linstead, in St Catherine, now has its first ever transportation centre, construction of which was spearheaded by the Transport Authority (TA), at a cost of $38.2 million.

The facility, which was officially opened by Transport, Works and Housing Minister, Dr Omar Davies, on Wednesday, will accommodate the 292 route taxis and 110 rural buses plying routes between Linstead and several communities across St Catherine, as well as those into Kingston and Spanish Town, under a scheduling system that has been instituted.

Among the rural communities that will be served are: Bog Walk, Guy’s Hill, Riversdale, West Prospect and Cheesefield.

The facility will be managed by the St Catherine Parish Council and will complement the Linstead taxi stand, which was refurbished at a cost of $10 million.

The taxi stand is operated as a terminal point for 209 taxis serving 13 communities in St Catherine, including Ewarton, Moneague, Victoria and Wakefield.

In his remarks at the opening, Dr Davies said the development of  Linstead has resulted in significant traffic congestion throughout the town, as a result of the absence of an appropriate transportation facility.

“We (Ministry) had to respond positively…and as one of the major transport hubs, Linstead was prioritized (for the centre’s construction),” he said, adding that the facility was “completed on time and within budget.”

For his part, Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change Minister and Member of Parliament for North West St Catherine, Robert Pickersgill, welcomed the centre’s completion.

Pickersgill described the project as a “deliberate strategy” on his part, “to increase access for commuters to reliable and efficient transportation services, and to ease the attendant congestion.”

“I believe that it will provide for a more organized public transportation system, and should ease the pressure in the town, particularly during peak hours,” he added.

Other speakers included: St Catherine Parish Council Chairman and Spanish Town Mayor, Councillor Norman Scott; Transport Authority Director, Nerine Small, who represented Chairman, Norton Hinds, and Managing Director, Donald Foster; and Linstead Taxi Association President, Herbert Garriques.