Jamaica’s Railway Service to Be Resumed

Jamaica’s railway service is once again set to be restarted.

The island’s first railway line was constructed in 1845.

It ran for 15 miles from Kingston to Spanish Town and notably, was also the first rail line built in any of Britain’s West Indies colonies.

The country’s public passenger railway service in Jamaica, was closed in October 1992, before having a brief revival in 2011 only to be closed once again in August 2012.

The Government is now scheduled to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a US-based company to restart Jamaica’s railway service.

This document will be signed some time this week according to Transport Minister Mike Henry.

According to RJR, Mr. Henry stated:

“Stage one has kept it going with bauxite, but then there’s a whole heritage thing to be gained from the railway being re-opened. The importance of the second oldest railway in the world; the impact that it’s an engineering feat once considered the 11th Wonder of the World”.

Mr. Henry also said the initiative is part of an effort to recognise, save and capitalise on Jamaica’s assets.