CHRISTIANA, Manchester — Two years after the Government promised to build a multi-storey taxi park here, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz says the project remains a priority.

“… It should have been done already. I suspect that it is funds and resources which have been the limitation, so the Transport Ministry and the Transport Authority will collaborate with the Ministry of Local Government and the Manchester Municipal Corporation to make this a reality,” he said on Wednesday, during a tour of the crammed Christiana Transport Centre.

Vaz looked at adjoining lands to the centre which are adjacent to the Christiana Bypass, with the hope of creating new entrance and exit points for the park.

“There is land behind me that adjoins the bypass that is owned by the municipal corporation. My understanding is that the municipal corporation did a plan in relation to expanding the park, improving the facilities which was submitted to the Ministry of Local Government,” he said.

“I am hearing now for the first time, so I have requested for the municipal corporation to send a copy of it to the Transport Ministry, so we can see how we can collaborate to make this a reality. The fact of the matter is that joining it and expanding it to meet the bypass will make a world of difference for the congestion and for the transport operators to be able to access and egress in a much more comfortable situation,” added Vaz.

Vaz said he would give a timeline for the project at a later date, and reiterated his commitment to rename the park in honour of outgoing three-decade Manchester North East Member of Parliament Audley Shaw.

“[He] deserves recognition and therefore we will be renaming this transport centre in the honour of Audley Shaw and therefore it has to be done the right and proper way. What exists here now, I couldn’t put his name on this; it would have to be upgraded…,” said Vaz.

Shaw, meanwhile, who previously served as transport minister, said he was optimistic about the plans for the expanded facility.

“I am hoping for the best in terms of the expansion of the bus park,” he said.

Vaz said the Government is also looking to acquire private lands adjoining the park.

“I hope in a short period of time to be able to outline the vision and the plan and the timelines for this upgrade of Christiana Transport Centre,” added Vaz.

Jamaica Labour Party aspirant for Manchester North East Audrey Marks, who joined Vaz during the tour, welcomed the initiative.

“I have it very high on my agenda of actions we need to take to ease the congestion in the town, so I am very pleased to be here this morning to see this and to hear this and to support you,” she said.

A business operator at the park who identified himself only as Ray said the expanded facility is well-needed.

“Me want the bus park down this side. Where they say they have a park uptown that is no park. It is more to jam up the town, so is down here so the park should be. I want the minister to set up the place, so that the Trelawny people and Craighead residents can come down this side,” he said.