THE Berbice River taxi service will commence operations by mid next week with vessels provided by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and private operators, according to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson. The Berbice Private Sector representative bodies have already expressed their support for the implementation of the river taxis.
Minister Patterson, along with Minister within the Ministry Annette Ferguson, had met with the Berbice Chamber of Commerce, of both Regions Five and Six to explain the way they intend to introduce the river taxi service.

Minister Ferguson revealed that they will also be meeting with the minibus and taxi associations and other stakeholders to ensure that the taxis are reintroduced and “savings being passed on to the vulnerable groups.”
With the introduction of river taxis, persons would now have a choice between two modes of transportation. Government will also provide a subsidy for the elderly and the children which would benefit families residing in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
MARAD is also in the process of examining the crossings at Rosignol and Blairmont to ensure they are safe and to determine if any works needed to be executed before the river taxis begin operations.
Government is also investing in the development of the Stellings and ancillary facilities to be brought up to standard to facilitate the return of river traffic.
Mr Patterson said that although he was met with proposals to use the MARAD fleet of river vessels, the Government is seeking to solicit vessels owned by the residents of Region Five and Six to provide the service.
“It is not only looked at as transportation, it is looked at as the revitalisation of a community,” he said. The minister mulled over starting off with the MARAD fleet, and letting the residents groove into offering the service.
This decision was made following the delay in the implementation of reduced Bridge tolls even though the Government had announced a subsidy in the national 2015 budget that would ensure that the company lost no revenue as a result of the reduction.
But the company did not budge. As the September 1 (the date for implementation) approached, Directors of the US$40M bridge said government had not consulted with them and it wanted its shareholders to have the final say.
It then insisted on a toll increase or an extension from the 21 years it had to manage the facility, to 40 years. The company was insisting that it racked up accumulated losses of $1.5B up to the end of last year and could face insolvency unless it can restructure its financing.
The government was arguing, however, that with the subsidy the bridge would still receive its money and the people who traverse the bridge will be relieved.
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister has been mandated by Cabinet to continue his engagements with the Berbice Bridge Company to ensure that the toll is reduced in accordance with the provisions of the 2015 Budget.
Minister of State Joseph Harmon had disclosed that the Government will be reviewing the contract, which was signed between the then Government of Guyana and the Bridge Company since it is widely believed that it is not exceedingly beneficial to the travelling public.
“The agreement is one which we have been looking at very closely…the Berbice Bridge contract was never made public and so the terms when you look at it, it is not favourable to the country. It is favourable to the investors. The conditions are super favourable to the investors. It does not take into consideration the travelling public and we would want to take a look at that,” Minister Harmon said.

By Rabindra Rooplall