New Department of Transportation in the works

Plans are now moving ahead to create a new government Department of Transportation which will focus solely on organising, designing and maintaining Cayman’s transport systems. The first step in this much-needed process has been the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing, and Infrastructure (MPAHI) receiving approval from Cabinet to create a business case with a view to creating the new department.

An initial review will take a critical view of some of the most important government departments currently involved with Cayman’s transport infrastructure - the National Roads Authority, the Department of Vehicle and Driver’s Licensing, and the Public Transport Unit.

The Ministry said the move mirrored best practices from the UK, paving the way for an integrated entity that would manage transportation in all its different forms.  Minister Jay Ebanks said the review was the first step in more than a structural change; it was a commitment to the Cayman community.

“By analysing these departments collectively and holistically, we are laying down the tracks for a transportation system that is safer, more reliable, and ready to meet the demands of our growing population,” he said. “The future of Cayman’s transport is now on a path to world-class standards.”

In addition, the Ministry is also launching a National Road Safety Strategy on Friday 10th November.  Also approved by Cabinet, this national strategy will be integral to the Ministry’s vision of creating safer roads and reducing the incidence of traffic accidents and injuries across the islands, they said, promising more information on what they called a “pivotal development in our journey towards a more secure and responsible transportation system.”

The Ministry said they were committed to constructing a modern, efficient, and sustainable transport network, anticipating and facilitating the needs of a rapidly growing population of which projections could reach 100,000 residents. Referring to a transportation report produced by Deloitte and soon to be released, they said:

“Harnessing insights from Deloitte’s comprehensive report, the Ministry will make informed, data-driven decisions that will underpin the future transportation blueprint for the Cayman Islands,” their release confirmed. “This effort is complemented by the valuable input of a dedicated Transportation Team, comprising experts from the UK’s Department for Transport, who are instrumental in formulating strategies to revamp public transportation into a more accessible and efficient one.”