ONE major issue GuyExpo would have experienced over the years is that of transportation and the buildup of vehicular traffic.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Sophia Exhibition Site on Thursday September 25, Tourism Minister (ag) Irfaan Ali explained that on Saturday, October 4, and Sunday, October 5, between 14:00hrs and 16:00hrs, vehicles with 15 or more passengers would be allowed free parking in the compound.

“We are hoping that this will encourage more minibuses and trucks to come,” so as to help in mitigating the traffic problem; and “we are also encouraging persons in this way to come as one big family,” Minister Ali said.

Transportation arrangements have been put in place for persons who would be coming from outlying communities and regions. The Tourism Minister explained that this situation previously posed a problem on the return journey to home. The GuyExpo Committee is partnering with local transportation providers to set up a service that would facilitate easier access to and from GuyExpo every day, for residents living in Berbice (Rose Hall, Bath Settlement, and New Amsterdam); West Demerara (Parika, Tuschen, Vreed-en-Hoop, Belle West) and Mahaica, ECD.

“We have spoken to bus operators to have special transportation available to bring persons to the expo and return them in the night at 11pm at a fixed cost,” he explained. He said it is hoped that, with this arrangement in place, more persons would be facilitated in coming from these areas to experience GuyExpo.

Additionally, a taxi stand would be established at the expo to facilitate the transport of patrons to and from the venue at a fixed price to prevent exploitation. This is an issue with which the Tourism Ministry has been dealing over the years.

Car passes can also be bought at a cost of $1000, and the expo parking area can accommodate a maximum of 1500 vehicles.

Johnny Mortley, GuyExpo’s Security/Safety Manager, explained that the committee has a very robust approach to safety and security this year. He added that these new implementations came out of observations from previous expos. Mortley said, “The security for the expo will be provided from both national and private security forces. We have 350 security personnel who will be responsible for safety and security at GuyExpo.”

Mortley explained that some of the streets leading to the exhibition site would be cordoned off, turned into one-way, or become express lanes so as to lessen the possibility of traffic congestion.

“The southern entrance, which is the Duncan and Garnette streets’ entrance, will facilitate the smooth flow of traffic going into the exhibition site,” he noted.

President Donald Ramotar will declare open GuyExpo 2014 on Thursday, October 2, at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, and the action continues until October 5.