VENEZUELA: CARACAS: TRAFFIC CHAOS & CONGESTION

Описание: (5 Jul 1997) Spanish/Nat

Traffic chaos and congestion in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas has reached crisis point.

The city last researched its transport routes 22 years ago.

And since then the capital's traffic has become increasingly dangerous and chaotic as local councils have failed to adopt a uniform set of regulations and signs.

But now the authorities are trying to tackle the problem and the Urban Transport Fund has now forwarded new proposals in the hope of finding a workable solution.

Day after day the people of Caracas drive on roads plagued by heavy traffic.

Traffic jams are a familiar sight in Venezuela's capital.

Without a plan of action the Ministry of Transport and Communication has allowed the number of public transport routes and the number of vehicles running on them to grow.

Local councils have adopted their own regulations, traffic signs and policing systems which are not co-ordinated in any way.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"The fundamental problem of traffic and transportation in Caracas is that nobody has paid attention to this area for some 20 to 25 years."
SUPER CAPTION: Carlos Briceno, President Urban Transport Fund

This has not only resulted in too much traffic but in reckless driving as public transport drivers compete for passengers.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"Traffic in Caracas is horrible."
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"Terrible, terrible. This is the consequence of a great lack of organisation. The city has continued to grow in a very disorderly manner. Of course, we the people who have cars, are some of those who suffer of this city's terrible illness."
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop

With about 30 thousand public transport vehicles on the road getting around is proving more and more impossible.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"It is difficult for the traffic to move. There are difficulties in the junctions. There are many problems to be solved. And (public) transport companies lack the basic operational structure needed by the city."
SUPER CAPTION: Carlos Briceno, President Urban Transport Fund

According to the Urban Transport Fund the only way the anarchy on the streets of Caracas can subside is through a co-ordinated policy where local councils adopt a uniform policy.

A study to measure the effects of traffic and pin point the necessary solutions is imperative.

Contrary to the belief of many of the cities mayors, Caracas does not need more means of public transport.

The city needs to optimise the use of its transport routes, co-ordinate its policing and sign systems and enforce the current regulations.

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