Artist depiction of the new $4.38 billion Half Way Tree Transport Centre to be built by Belgian firms Six Construct Limited and Transurb Technirail.

BACKED by a concessionary loan from Belgium, Jamaica is investing US$71.3 million ($4.38 billion) in an ultra-modern transport centre, to be built in time to accommodate the shuttling of fans expected in the capital for World Cup Cricket 2007.

The majority of the loan, 80 per cent, is interest-free.
Prime Minister PJ Patterson, who yesterday marked 13 years in office as PM, said it was one of the projects he intended to see started before his departure from office and retirement from politics.

Prime Minister PJ Patterson uses a pick-axe for the traditional breaking of ground on the $4.38 billion Half Way Tree Transport Centre. Observing are EU Commissioner Louis Michel (left), transport minister Robert Pickersgill (fourth right); vice-president of the Comerzbank of Belgium Jacques Nyssen (third right); foreign affairs minister KD Knight (second right) and national security minister Dr Peter Phillips (right).

Patterson broke ground on the facility on which construction is expected to begin immediately for completion in 30 months, or by the last quarter of 2007.

The lead contractor is Six Construct Limited and sub-contractor Transurb Technical, two Belgian firms.
Georges Bovsovers, commercial and marketing director of Six Construct, told the Observer that his firm intends to sub-contract some aspects of the job to Jamaicans.

Patterson told diplomats and other officials that improvements to the public transportation system were so important to his government, it was one of the subjects in his party's political manifesto.

"The fulfillment of that particular promise is one of the successes of my administration. there is little doubt that we have made measurable improvements in the public transportation sector," he said.

The new transport hub, sited on grounds of the old Odeon theatre, will centralise terminal stops and dispatch for all buses entering Half Way Tree.

Patterson pointed out that over 200,000 commuters use the Half Way Tree bus facilities daily, but under conditions that were less than satisfactory.

"The commuting public who traverse Half Way Tree each day will benefit directly from this project as improved travelling conditions and reduced stress will result in increased productivity at the work place."

The PM said he was particularly concerned about the women, elderly folks and students who have to use the bus service, but added that the new centre would offer them first world facilities for their convenience and comfort.
The loan of euro54.5 million or US$71.3 million was provided by Belgium through the Comerzbank.

Jamaica will pay no interest on 80 per cent or euro43.5 million of the loan, while the remaining euro11 million will attract interest of 4.3 per cent per annum.

The repayment period, which begins after construction, is ten years in six-month intervals.

Cataloguing his 13-year achievements in the transport sector since 1989, Patterson said his government had spent $6 billion to improve the sector. Among the achievements he highlighted, was the implementation of a school bus service; the purchase of 600 Volvo and Mercedes Benz buses, establishment of the JUTC company, and construction of four modern bus depots.

- whytetk@jamaicaobserver.com

Tarrus Riley shoots video for Start Anew

Naomi Campbell to open retrospective photo show

A pleasant evening of music and much more