News

A recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing, Infrastructure, Transport & Development (PAHITD) has revealed that nearly three-quarters (74%) of parents believe that schools should provide transportation for students, with many open to paying an additional fee for the service.

However, while over 40% of respondents support making bus usage mandatory, a larger proportion—almost 60%—oppose it.

The survey, distributed in September 2024 to all schools across Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, including early childhood care providers, received 791 responses, primarily from parents of private school students. The goal was to gain deeper insights into how school traffic impacts congestion, overall commuter behaviour during peak hours, and potential solutions to alleviate the growing strain on the roads.

Key Findings: Traffic & Commuting Patterns

The survey confirms what many drivers experience daily: school traffic significantly contributes to congestion during peak hours.

• Morning Peak Traffic:
  • 63% of parents leave for school or work between 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM, marking this as the busiest travel period.
  • 79% of parents continue directly to work after school drop-off, highlighting the strong link between school-related travel and morning traffic buildup.
• Afternoon & Evening Commutes:
  • Nearly 50% of parents return home between 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, while 41% do so between 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, creating a secondary traffic peak.
  • The average commute time from home to school is 27 minutes, while the drive from school to work averages 22 minutes.
  • 14% of parents report school commutes exceeding 45 minutes, underscoring the strain on road networks.
• Vehicle Usage & Road Impact:
  • Every family surveyed uses at least one car for school-related travel.
  • 44% of families rely on more than one vehicle, further increasing congestion.

School Bus Usage: Untapped Potential?

Despite strong parental support for school transportation, the survey found that 94% of students are not currently using school buses. Among parents who have access to a bus service but choose not to use it:

• 61% cite scheduling conflicts as the primary barrier, stating that bus routes and timing do not align with family needs.
• Other concerns, though less frequent, include convenience, reliability, and safety.

Encouragingly, 74% of parents support staggered school start and end times, a potential traffic-reduction strategy that would prevent all students from traveling to and from school simultaneously, easing congestion in high-traffic zones. The primary concern among those opposed is conflicts with work schedules—an issue that could be mitigated through more flexible scheduling solutions.

• School Terms vs. School Breaks: Understanding Traffic Flow

The survey also sought to understand why roads become significantly clearer when schools are out of session. 48% of parents reported that they "work as usual" during school holidays, with many relying on organizing camps or at-home childcare. This reinforces the idea that school-related travel is a primary contributor to Cayman’s peak-hour traffic challenges.

• Government Response: Exploring New Solutions

Commenting on the findings, Mr. Tristan Hydes, Deputy Chief Officer at the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing, Infrastructure, Transport & Development, stated:

“I want to thank each and every parent who took the time to share their input. While improving transportation in Cayman is a complex issue that extends beyond school traffic, it is evident that school drop-offs and pick-ups create significant choke points in the morning and afternoon rush hours. The strong response to this survey highlights how much parents are invested in finding solutions, and we are encouraged by the willingness to explore new, innovative approaches to ease congestion for all commuters.”

Next Steps

The Ministry is now evaluating potential solutions based on these findings, including:

✅ Enhancing school bus services to improve accessibility and convenience.
✅ Piloting staggered school schedules to help ease peak-hour congestion.
✅ Developing alternative commuting options to provide parents with more flexibility.

For more information or to participate in upcoming discussions on school transportation improvements, please contact: