Jamaica Wants Private-public Partnership For Railway Service

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Mar 16, (CMC) – The Jamaica government says, it is exploring a public-private partnership for the rehabilitation of the railway service.

Transport and Mining Minister, Mike Henry, said, that Jamaica, in adopting a modern-day, integrated multi-modal transport system, of which the railway is a key component, would be embracing the reality of the changing and fast-paced world in which we live.

“The railway is the most important element of transport anywhere in the world, and Jamaica has the second oldest railway in the world, connecting every port in Jamaica. We exist in a just-in-time world, where you need to deliver goods and services as early as possible, in order to be on top of the niche markets and be able to grow your economy.

Transport and Mining Minister, Mike Henry. Photo credit: Jamaica Government.

“This means that if the economy must grow, it must get its goods and services right there. We are therefore going to connect rail, sea and air,” Henry told the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).

Henry said, the railway currently runs from Pechon Street, in downtown Kingston, to Vernamfield in Clarendon, it does not go into any of the international airports.

He said, that a distinguishing feature of many modern countries is the building of underground railways to facilitate the necessary elements of connectivity.

“You must move from rail to sea to air, so the railway must be re-established,” he said, noting, that the numerous housing developments in the Old Harbour area that are not linked to the highway, present an opportunity for passenger trains.

“We should not be afraid of integrating these services to the economic development of the people and the country, so I am now exploring a railway development very urgently,” he said.