An Aerial Cable Transportation or cable cars is what is being suggested to relieve the gridlock traffic that frequently occurs along the Western peninsula—from Port-of-Spain to Chaguaramas.
The idea came from one of T&T’s business mogul, Derek Chin of Dachin Enterprises.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian, Chin said he recently visited Asia where he had a first-hand look as to how the cable cars there operated.
He said he strongly believed that developing the cable car transit system would not only allow motorists to access Chaguaramas in quick time but also aid the boosting of the country’s economy.
“The cable car transit system can be linked from either Peakes or at MovieTowne, Invaders Bay to the scenic Chaguaramas, creating a ride that is environmentally friendly and quick time. It can also go to the islands and create a real estate boom out there,” Chin said.
He suggested that people wanting to go to the West for Carnival fetes and other functions could avoid the much-talked-about frustrating gridlock traffic, which sometimes lasted for over five hours, by using the cable cars.
“There will be a park and ride for these people and at them reaching the station in Chaguaramas there would be shuttles taking them to the different points down there example, O2 Park, Pier One, etc.” Chin said.
Asked about financing for such a project, Chin disclosed that there was already a Chinese firm lined up to finance it, in addition, to which Chin said, “also by other ways and means.”
He, however, took the opportunity to encourage public/private partnerships.
“With the public/private partnerships a lot of investment can be attracted and this should be priority as we move on to 2016. Businessmen will be using their own monies so by this there would not be so much wastage and the monies would be protected and spent properly,” he said.
He said this one sure way that the Government could venture in to help turn around the declining economy.
“This will result in stabilisation. T&T should not be deprived of all these nice things. Give the business people the guidance to do what needs to be done because they are the successful business people. Give us the chance to join together in re-building the economy,” Chin said.
Giving an example of how he was given the opportunity to boost Guyana’s economy, Chin said he was given land by the Guyanese government at a reduced price for his $220 million investment of a Movie Towne in Guyana, which is currently under construction.
“This project has already in its present stages raised the landscape of sustainable jobs and tourism,” he said.
Just like his proposed plan for the “Streets of the World” at Invader’s Bay, which is an extension of Movie Towne, Chin reiterated that it will be beneficial in terms of positivity towards the economy and creating a destination for tourists.
That project (Streets of the World) has been criticised by former president of the Joint Consultative Council (JCC) Afra Raymond who claimed that it was in breach of Central Tenders Board regulations.
Raymond said the Request for Proposals (RFP) process used in August 2011 by the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development was improper and voidable since the assessment rules were published one month after the closing date.
However, in response to the JCC’s concern, former Planning minister Dr Bhoe Tewarie had repeatedly claimed that the legal advice was that the ministry was in conformity with the law.
The current Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon, promised to do a detailed review and analysis.
She also promised to meet and speak to Chin, early in the new year, in detail about the project, which will consist of 22 acres of ultimate destination, appealing to the entire Caribbean.
Officials of Disney and Hettema Group, who specialise in uniquely creative designs for theme parks, museums and cultural attractions, have already visited T&T and held extensive discussions with Chin on the project. The only obstacle in the way for Chin is the signing of the papers to acquire ten acres of land allotted to Dachin Enterprises so that construction can begin.
One of the main attractions will be the Main Street, a re-creation of Frederick Street, downtown Port-of-Spain, in the 1930s complete with a tramcar.
The streets will also reflect the rich culture of T&T and there will be a Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum highlighting T&T’s Carnival and its history, the history of the steelpan and calypso.