PTSC to provide shuttle service for shoppers

UPDATED:

San Fernando East MP Randall Mitchell, yesterday, launched a new Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) shuttle service to shopping malls in the southern city. Mitchell and San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello met at the PTSC bay on Lady Hailes Avenue to take one of the first rides to the malls.

“Within the last three years the city of San Fernando saw the investment of two large entertainment and shopping centres, South Park and C3 Shopping Centre, in addition to the long standing Gulf City Shopping Complex,” Mitchell said, adding that people who lived in south and central Trinidad now had access to more choices for quality shopping.

“These malls each house the biggest names in groceries, eateries, retail outlets and entertainment centres,” Mitchell said as he spoke about a meeting with corporate constituent and entrepreneur Carl Mack, of C3 Shopping Centre.

“Out of this meeting, an idea was born for a shuttle service designed to provide better transport service for the patrons of these shopping and entertainment centres while at the same time reducing the traffic congestion in the city particularly during the busy holiday season.”

Following the meeting, Mitchell asked PTSC chairman Edwin Gooding to consider introducing a bus shuttle service that would, in one-loop, transport commuter patrons to the three shopping centres. PTSC agreed to provide the shuttle service.“As of November 11 this new traffic plan comes into effect for San Fernando in an effort to alleviate perennial congestion,” Mitchell said.

The shuttle service will run on Fridays and Saturdays from 9.30 am to 7.50 pm. There will be eleven stops along the route that include: PTSC San Fernando Terminus, Detours (Lower High Street), Detours (Upper High Street), bus stops at Lord Street, Royal Road, Mon Repos, South Park, C3 Centre, Naparima Mayaro Road, Cocoyea and Gulf City Mall.

Tickets cost $3 each and are available at PTSC San Fernando Bus Terminus, High Street Traders, Biggie’s Mini Mart, Mon Repos, Toppers Lotto Booth, South Park, JTA Supermarket, C3 Centre and Lotto Booth, Gulf City Mall. Regrello said, on September 25, the city corporation launched a new traffic plan that had helped ease congestion in San Fernando. “Again we are reaching out to the travelling public and providing transport to the malls at a low cost,” Regrello said, adding the traffic plan has been working as there has been little or no complaints from the public since it came on stream.