More transportation options being explored for SVG

A Vincentian student studying in the United States of America (USA),is one of nine who have been awarded the esteemed Gallatin Global Fellows in Urban Practice, and she hopes that her scope of research can fix the vexing problem of limited transportation options available in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Carlene Hunte-Nelson, a former teacher and wellness coach, is currently undertaking a Bachelor’s programme at the New York University Gallatin in Politics Policy and the Caribbean, as well a Masters in Public Policy with International Development at the NYU Wagner Graduate School.

Hunte-Nelson is the only fellow whose research is focused in the Caribbean and in an interview with SEARCHLIGHT, she explained that she wanted her course of study to focus on solutions to local problems.

Her research is centred around the use of micro-mobility in urban spaces. Micro mobility refers to the use of personal transportation options such as e-scooters, e-bikes, e-unicycles, and e-skateboards.

“When it is six o’clock there is no transportation; you can’t go anywhere, shops closed, no night life, there are none of those things that would keep the economy going.”

In developed countries, she pointed out that the micro-mobility industry has taken off and provided citizens with new avenues for not only transportation, but also economic opportunities.

“One of my fears is that someone else comes in and takes over the market…. Having transportation autonomy I think, is really critical for citizens. How can we make our streets and roads safer so people can walk and more connections and points of interest.”

Hunte-Nelson said she has noted the challenges of the limited road network and difficult terrain in SVG but this would not exclude the electronic transport option, however it would require that urban planners think strategically about road infrastructure.

“There has definitely been a change in the technology as more and more people use it. There are powerful batteries that can help with difficult terrain,” she pointed out.

Reducing traffic congestion in and around Kingstown, as well as reducing the carbon emissions from vehicles is one of the key benefits of the micro-mobility options, according to Hunte-Nelson. But for the technology to be beneficial and affordable there needs to be investment from both government and the private sector, she added.

“It’s an emerging industry and I think we need to get ahead of it and implement strategies. It’s not going to be easy, but we have to try solutions to the problem because transportation access is a really big issue in St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Hunte-Nelson returned to SVG to conduct necessary qualitative research to inform policy implementation and, in doing so, was able to liaise with a local business that offers e-scooter trips on a small scale.

“There is definitely a market for micro-mobility in St Vincent, but it is how we market it, government and also private sector.”

She is expected to present her proposal at NYU Gallatin at the end of the fall semester and she said she is “excited to see where [the] research goes”.