KSAMC moves early to tackle Christmas traffic, parking and vending challenges

The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has kicked off its annual stakeholders’ meeting earlier than in previous years as preparations intensify for the busy Christmas season.

The meeting, held Friday at the corporation’s offices, brought together key stakeholders to address pressing issues affecting downtown Kingston and other sections of the municipality, including traffic management, parking, illegal vending and garbage collection.

With the Christmas rush expected to bring increased activity and congestion, officials are seeking to get ahead of the challenges and ensure the municipality is ready.

Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby brought key transport stakeholders, including the Transport Authority and the police, as concerns mount over parking for taxi operators and motorists in the capital city.

With traffic and congestion already posing challenges, finding workable solutions for taxi operators is now firmly on the agenda, he said.

But while authorities are prepared to engage the operators, senior police officers are making it clear that cooperation will not come at the expense of law and order.

Senior Superintendent of Police Winchester Watson of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch said the police will engage taxi operators and address their concerns, but officers will remain firm in maintaining order on the streets.

“We will work along with the taxi operators, but we will not relax in maintaining law and order in the streets,” Watson declared.

The discussions come as the municipality prepares for what is traditionally one of the busiest periods of the year, when increased shopping, vending, public transportation and pedestrian activity can place additional pressure on downtown Kingston.

The early stakeholder engagement is aimed at ensuring that the major challenges are identified and addressed before the Christmas rush peaks.

- Corey Robinson

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