Work Advanced on Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre

Minister of Housing, Transport, Water and Works, Hon. Robert Pickersgill has said that construction of the Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre was advanced, with 70 per cent of the work already completed.
The Minister, who was addressing a recent press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, said that the project was on target to meet the October completion date.
“The centre, which will enhance the operations of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company within the Half-Way-Tree area, is slated to be completed on target in October and we are hoping that it will be completed before that time,” he stated.
According to Minister Pickersgill, the transport centre, the first of its kind in Jamaica, would be a key component in the restructuring of the transport system in the Kingston Metropolitan Area and serve as model for other transportation centres and a catalyst for future urban development.
To date, $33.2 million Euros has been spent on the development of the world class facility, which will boast passenger holding areas; spacious bus bays; commercial outlets; public sanitary facilities; and ticket outlets; among other things.
“The centre will be supported by 17 commercial shops, four commercial kiosks, two security booths and a 900 square (feet) terrace, capable of accommodating three fast food type outlets,” Minister Pickersgill informed.
The commercial shops, he indicated, “are very sought after” as the Ministry has received more than 400 applications, which is an overwhelming number, when compared to the available spaces in the centre.
The Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre is being funded by the government of Belgium through the Commertz Bank of Belgium at a cost of $49 million Euros.