February 12 – Letter to the Editor

We cannot continue to rely almost exclusively on private vehicles in areas that were never designed to accommodate them on a large scale. The time has come to move from managing traffic to transforming transportation.

The congestion following the Stink + Dutty fete in Chaguaramas has understandably generated concern. Assistant Commissioner Garvin Henry is correct in highlighting the structural realities of the western peninsula: a single access route, limited parking, and geography that naturally constrains traffic flow. Under such conditions, delays were predictable, regardless of how robust the operational plan may have been.

Rather than debating whether large events should be hosted in Chaguaramas, we should treat this as an opportunity to address a deeper systemic issue. The peninsula is an ideal location to pilot a modernised transportation framework.

For major events, access passes could be limited to residents and essential services, while patrons utilise organised park-and-ride facilities supported by scheduled shuttle services. Reducing private vehicle volume would significantly ease congestion and demonstrate the value of coordinated public transport planning.

Importantly, this approach should not be limited to event days. Daily traffic in and out of Chaguaramas is already challenging. Residents face routine delays, schoolchildren encounter transportation difficulties, and workers—including members of the Defence Force and Coast Guard—are affected by the persistent bottleneck.

A structured system with reliable bus scheduling, designated pick-up points, managed peak-hour access, and consistent enforcement could improve daily mobility and safety. The western peninsula could serve as a demonstration zone for how disciplined systems, structures, and processes can produce measurable change.

Too often, we respond to congestion tactically—with police deployments and temporary controls. These are necessary but reactive measures. Sustainable improvement requires systemic reform and coordinated implementation.

Chaguaramas offers a practical opportunity to model that change. If we can implement a functioning transport framework there, it could serve as a blueprint for Carnival, major festivals, and other high-density activities across the country.

The disruption was inconvenient, but it has highlighted a larger truth: we must rethink how we move. The question is whether we will continue managing traffic—or commit to transforming transportation.