haitian transportation

There is a lot of confusion in Haiti trying to determine what exactly to call the new road development initiated by the Government of Martelly-Lamothe. Some say that Haiti is having a highway for the first time. Other say that this is not a highway but rather a bridge.

So what is it exactly? Is the government building a highway or not. Whatever it is, this is work that the government are doing to improve traffic in the Haitian Capital and considering all there traffic problems, we need it

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Port-de-Paix is the Northwest Department capital, made up of four districts: Port-de-Paix, Bassin Bleu, Chansolme, and Tortuga Island. It is a rich agricultural area, growing coffee, bananas, tobacco, rice, and cacao. Because the city is accessible to the U.S. via the Atlantic, smuggling thrives in Port-de-Paix.

Port-de-Paix is served by many airlines. They offer flights from Port-de-Paix Airport to international airports, located in Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien. A ferry carries tourists between the beautiful beaches of Port-de-Paix and Tortuga Island.

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The Martelly government inaugurated the Association of Tourist Taxi Drivers Support Program in December. The program will improve taxi service at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

$2 million provided by Haiti's Central Bank and National Bank of Credit will allow purchase of 100 taxis. Drivers belonging to the Drivers Guide Association of Haiti and the Independent Drivers for Development Association will now have the capacity to meet the demands of Haiti's tourism industry with new vehicles and training.

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Here is an interesting picture where Haitian currency is being transported via Bourette.

Haiti has long been known to be the poorest of countries in the Western Hemisphere. Still, its GDP growth in 2012 was reported at 1.3% making its annual GDP approximately $13 billion. One of Haiti's problems is that it has a higher inflation rate than other low-income countries in a similar circumstance. It also has to battle a lack of investment opportunities and repeated disasters that cripple the economy. In 2012, the country listed revenues of $1.35 billion, with expenses of $1.446 billion.

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Anthony Simon as a President of the country in 1909 realized the role of modernity, technology and industrialization in a country's development. He understood how a good railway network can hasten the economic growth in Haiti. During his time, velocipede (early bicycles having pedals attached to the front wheel) became popular, people attended movie shows, gramophone, telephone, sewing machine, and camera became common objects in wealthy families..... In short, the country silently entered the age of modernity.

It was his opinion that export revenue from "fig banana" would be enough to finance his dream railway project between Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien. The government of Anthony Simon raised a loan of 65 million francs in France on abusive terms to finance his railway project. His critics complained of serious diplomatic and financial difficulties and warned of the threat that the Americans may invade Haiti in pretext of earlier McDonald's contract (that contained massive dispossession of land). In reality, most of President Simon's plans were some forms of utopia that never materialized in his lifetime in the beginning of the last century. His plans created more evils than good. To satisfy American planters, Haitian banana growers were taxed, electrification and paving of the streets increased the import bill through increased number of imported cars.

President Antoine Simon played dangerous gamble with Haitian economy and placed it in either win or ruin in debt for generations situation. The loan costs heavy obligations to the poor Haitians who paid with their pocket until the last penny. In 1972 Luckner Cambronne, a high-ranking political figure in François Duvalier's regime said the country did not need any railway and he systematically dismantled the railway track between Port-au-Prince and St. Marc. Here is how the incredible adventure of railway that cost so much tears and blood of the unfortunate Haitians ends.

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United States citizens wishing to travel to the Caribbean country of Haiti have been warned by the U.S. State Department to travel with more than just their sunscreen. In a recent release from the State Department, the high rate of crimes in Haiti, especially those against Americans, juxtaposed with the lack of reliable medical services such as ambulances and the limited scope of the protection offered by security forces, make the need for personable measures safeguarding individual safety necessary.

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MINUSTAH has provided Acul du Nord with two prefabricated buildings to be used as court houses, Camp Louise and Peace Grison-Garde. The United Nations Mission for Stabilization in Haiti donated $140,000 USD for the project. Both courts are equipped with two courtrooms and offices for the judge and deputy. They also have a records office and archives, and space for a Civil Status Office. They have been outfitted with two typewriters, six computers and dozen chairs.

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Not only are locals opting for the ever popular choice of the moto-taxis that are a fixture on the Haitian scene where modes of transport are concerned, but foreigners, some only passing through, some more permanent residents, are catching the bike bug. During Carnival, moto-taxi drivers wait outside venues and will drop passengers anywhere they wish to go, to the steps of their homes or hotels. The practice has become so epitomic of a trip to Haiti, it has been made the subject of numerous blogs by international travelers.

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During a storm, securing boats in a safe reef or a lagoon is a good option. Still, once a boat is in the water, the threat of capsizing is a distinct possibility. The procedure for righting a boat that has been capsized varies depending on its size, though the safety and stability of very large vessels that have capsized will be greatly compromised even if righted. Small vessels can usually be righted by its crew's efforts and some vessels, outfitted with enough flotation can stabilize themselves.

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Motorcycle taxi drivers have been mandated to wear their helmets as of July 15th. In an announcement by the National Police and the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, it was disclosed that new measures have been set to heighten security of motor vehicles in general, with that of the motorcycle taxis of special note. Director of Traffic and the Traffic Police, Commissioner Will Dimanche says that the drivers should be part of an obligatory association and have helmets that are uniquely numbered.

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