KINGSTON, Jamaica — Noranda Bauxite has donated lands in Discovery Bay, St Ann for the construction of a long-awaited car park for taxi operators.

The park, to be constructed at a cost of $10 million, will be a joint venture involving Noranda Bauxite, the Transport Authority and the St Ann Municipal Corporation.

This was disclosed on Wednesday by Transport Minister Daryl Vaz at the weekly post-cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House.

“The facility as it stands now will serve as the main terminal point for over 250 taxis operating in that area,” Vaz said.

“The land that is going to be utilised was gifted to the St Ann Municipal Corporation by Noranda Bauxite and based on engineering and construction estimates, a little under $10 million [will be spent to get it ready],” the minister added.

He noted that taxi operators currently park their vehicles wherever they can, including in every plaza, “because in fairness they have nowhere else to go”.

Vaz said he was delivering on a commitment made to taxi operators some time ago.

The car park will accommodate taxis on routes servicing Discovery Bay to Falmouth, Discovery Bay to Brown’s Town, Discovery Bay to Runaway Bay, Discovery Bay to Farm Town, Discovery Bay to St Ann’s Bay and surrounding areas.