WATER taxis are to become operational across the Berbice River from Monday, and reliable sources close to the responsible ministry have informed this publication that the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, has decided to allow all students and nurses attired in their respective uniforms, and pensioners, to travel free of charge in this service.The river taxis will be working from 06:00hrs to 18:00hrs in accordance with the maritime laws, and a team from the responsible ministry will be heading to both Rosignal and New Amsterdam stellings to examine works currently ongoing to ensure that loading and offloading facilities for the water taxis are erected in accordance with the safety standards of the ministry.

This newspaper has learnt that less than 10 river taxis would be involved in the initial stages of the exercise; and it was also communicated that the government is now looking to see how best the operation can be commercialised in the long run, so that communities can benefit and employment is created.

Thus far, the most vibrant river taxi services existing in Guyana facilitate travel between the banks of the Demerara River at Linden, between Vreed-en-Hoop and Stabroek stellings, between Parika and Supenaam, and between Parika and Bartica stellings.

CONSEQUENCE
The Government of Guyana has decided to introduce this river taxi system across the Berbice River after management of the Berbice Bridge Company (BBCI) indicated that it has no intention of budging from its position of charging what are largely perceived to be excessive tolls for crossing the Berbice River Bridge.

The BCCI has argued that the decision to lower the rates cannot be made at this time, given the potentially crippling effect on investments that lowering the fees to transit the bridge would have.

During its campaign for the May 11, 2015 election, especially in the Berbice area, the government had promised Berbicians that it would review the tolls they have to pay to transit the bridge. That review was slated to be done within the first 100 days of the government being in office.

However after the coalition government got into power, it realised that lowering the fees to cross the bridge or reviewing its fare structure had a lot to do with the involvement of the Berbice Bridge Company, which has thus far been resisting the move.

There are now calls for the government to pay off those companies and persons who invested in the bridge and take control of the operation of the structure as is the case with the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

The Demerara Harbour Bridge has been in operation for well over 35 years, and according to its management officials, the bridge has outlived its lifespan but continues to serve the public well with constant maintenance works.