Free park-and-ride service for Buju’s return.
MANY PATRONS on the final stretch of the ‘Long Walk To Freedom’ will have to close the distance to the highly anticipated return of Buju Banton to the performance stage by bus.
During a recent press conference, event organiser Marlon Burke, director of Solid Agency, announced a number of road closures, a tiered parking system at the concert’s venue, and a collaboration with Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) for the implementation of a free park-and-ride shuttle service.
The main parking lot identified to facilitate those utilising the park-and-ride service is Heroes Circle. “We’ll be splitting Heroes Circle into two, where we will run bleachers and grandstand shuttles to the main entrances of those sections and VIP and general admission,” Burke said.
With a dedicated fleet of 40 buses, the organisers advised that approximately 1,200 people can be moved in one run. “Standing, we can put 1,600,” he said. He estimated that the lot can hold up to 5,000 cars. The park will be manned by the Jamaica Constabulary Force and private security firms. There will also be negotiated secure spaces surrounding the park. However, they are still encouraging patrons to car park.
SHUTTLE ROUTES
VIP and general-admission patrons will be shuttled from Heroes Circle, via Marescaux Road, on to Caledonia Road, then to South Camp Road, to Deanery Road, then up Mountain View, where they will access the stadium from Gate E9.
General-admission and bleachers patrons will be shuttled from Heroes Circle through Marescaux Road to Tom Redcam on to Arthur Wint Drive – to be dropped off at their entry gates by Stadium East. The main gate will be another access point, for grandstand patrons. After entering the gate, grandstand ticket-holders will keep to the left side of the roadway, using the first turnstile to enter their section. Bleachers ticket-holders will keep to the right, to utilise gates six, seven, nine and 10 in front of the stadium pool.
The VIP parking will be north of Stadium East and will include the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation parking lot. Ultra VIP patrons will access the stadium from Roosevelt Avenue, entering through gates E4 and E5. They will then enter the stands from Gate E2.
ROAD CLOSURES
There will be six road closures to facilitate a “sterile” parking environment for the concert.
Road closures start at the intersection of Deanery Road and Mountain View Avenue for northbound traffic. People travelling from Windward Road up Mountain View Avenue will take the left turn on to Deanery Road.
The second road closure will be at the intersection of Mountain View Avenue and Arthur Wint Drive. Traffic from Old Hope Road to Mountain View will have to continue towards Deanery Road to enter the Windward Road area. The third road closure will be at the intersection of Stanton Terrace and Roosevelt Avenue.
“Only authorised parking stickers, residents and emergency vehicles will be allowed access,” Burke said. Access to Latham Road will also be blocked. The intersection of North Avenue and Old Hope Road will be blocked, along with Tom Redcam Avenue and Arthur Wint Drive.
“We are not encouraging people to come to the stadium without a parking sticker. If you do not have a parking pass, you will not be allowed to get to the stadium,” he continued.
In addition to the free park-andride service, the JUTC will also be offering direct shuttle services to the venue from Portmore and HalfWay Tree.
Organisers project that approximately 32,000 patrons will turn out for the concert.