MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, has instructed the Transport and Habours Department (T&HD) to conduct a complete analysis of the operations of the River Taxis plying the Berbice River. The analysis will determine whether it is feasible to continue with that operation, considering the fact that the Government was successful in its quest to reduce the toll at the Berbice Bridge.
In a recent interview with Guyana Chronicle, Minister Ferguson said commuters, particularly those in Regions Five and Six, continue to utilize the services of the River Taxis, but said an assessment is critical at this point.
It was explained that while the Government is subsidizing the operations of the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI), T&HD is off setting the fuel and other expenses with respect to the operations of the River Taxis.
“I just want to make that comparison to see whether it is feasible – the services of the river taxis,” Minister Ferguson posited.
The river taxis began operating in September 2015, offering free transportation to schoolchildren, nurses and pensioners, and very low fares to other commuters who use the service.
It was introduced by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government in an attempt to pressure the BBCI, which had refused to lower its tolls. But after months of deliberations, the Government and BBCI, in December, struck a deal to reduce the tolls for crossing the bridge.
The agreement, which covers the provision of a Government subsidy to BBCI, took effect in January, allowing for the bridge tolls to be reduced from $2200 to $1900 for passenger cars and buses, along with a 10 per cent reduction for other classes of vehicles.