No bans likely for importing right-hand drive, old cars — Rymer
Minister for Transportation & Works Kye Rymer said it was unlikely that right-hand drive vehicles and those older than 10 years will be banned from being imported into the territory.
Over the years, some residents have described right-hand driven vehicles as a nuisance in the territory, suggesting that they have helped — along with an increase in the importation of vehicles — to make the traffic situation in the territory overbearing.
“That document came to Cabinet where we spoke about limiting [the importation of] vehicles over a certain year. There won’t be a ban, but we’ll have increased duty for vehicles over a certain age,” Rymer said recently.
The Works Minister also noted that those vehicles that fall into the antique category will most likely attract a different rate.
And while admitting that there is an issue with the number of vehicles in the territory, Rymer said many persons took advantage of a reduction in import duties that government offered last year because of rising fuel prices globally. He said this led to an even greater increase in the importation of vehicles into the BVI.
The minister also pointed out that no new roads are being built in the territory.
“I think that was the premise for us to try to turn the traffic around in terms of making it a bit more efficient in terms of the flow,” he added. “I think it’s working pretty well in terms of the flow of traffic within the Road Town area.”
Rymer said the government is awaiting further information from the Ministry on how to move forward with limiting the vehicles.
In the meantime, the Works Minister said there has been an increase in passengers since the introduction of the government’s Park and Ride initiative which also helps to reduce the flow of traffic in the capital city.
While there have been minor hiccups and complaints periodically, Rymer said the initiative was working wonderfully and he encouraged persons to utilise the service, which he described as consistent and reliable.
“That document came to Cabinet where we spoke about limiting [the importation of] vehicles over a certain year. There won’t be a ban, but we’ll have increased duty for vehicles over a certain age,” Rymer said recently.
The Works Minister also noted that those vehicles that fall into the antique category will most likely attract a different rate.
And while admitting that there is an issue with the number of vehicles in the territory, Rymer said many persons took advantage of a reduction in import duties that government offered last year because of rising fuel prices globally. He said this led to an even greater increase in the importation of vehicles into the BVI.
The minister also pointed out that no new roads are being built in the territory.
“I think that was the premise for us to try to turn the traffic around in terms of making it a bit more efficient in terms of the flow,” he added. “I think it’s working pretty well in terms of the flow of traffic within the Road Town area.”
Rymer said the government is awaiting further information from the Ministry on how to move forward with limiting the vehicles.
In the meantime, the Works Minister said there has been an increase in passengers since the introduction of the government’s Park and Ride initiative which also helps to reduce the flow of traffic in the capital city.
While there have been minor hiccups and complaints periodically, Rymer said the initiative was working wonderfully and he encouraged persons to utilise the service, which he described as consistent and reliable.
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