US$250 Million to Resuscitate Jamaica’s Rail Service
Jamaica may one day in the not too distant future have a vibrant rail service if scheduled plans for its revival come to fruition.
The island’s rail system is the second oldest in the world, having commenced operations in 1845.
However, rail services ceased in 1992.
According to the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), a sum of US$250 million will be invested in the resuscitation of the country’s cargo and passenger rail service by the Government and several investors, including United States (US) company Herzog International.
The project will be undertaken in segments.
Phase one will see the development of the Montego Bay to Appleton leg. This is slated to get under way before the start of the winter tourist season in 2017.
The others are Phase 2a – Spanish Town to Ewarton, Spanish Town to Clarendon Park; Phase 2b – Appleton to Clarendon Park; Phase 3 – Spanish Town to Kingston; and Phase 4 – Connecting Vernamfield to the existing main line.
A non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalise the arrangement was signed by the Ministry of Transport and Mining, through the Jamaica Railway Corporation (JRC), and Herzog Jamaica Limited, which is a subsidiary of United States-based Herzog International, at the Ministry’s Maxfield Avenue offices in Kingston on December 9.
The signatories included Portfolio Minister, Hon. Mike Henry; Chairman, Jamaica Railway Corporation, Ferris Ziadie; and Herzog representatives, Dr. Sean Matthew and William Gilbert.
Download The Jamaican Blogs™ App for your Android device: HERE
Remember to share this article on Facebook and other Social Media Platforms. To submit your own articles or to advertise with us please send us an EMAIL at: [email protected]