GDF joins MARAD’s initiative to transport passengers amid speedboat strike
In light of a strike called by the speedboat operators plying the Vreed-en-Hoop to Stabroek Market route, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has offered free transportation for Region Three residents.
In addition, the Guyana Defence Force has made available six buses to assist in shuttling passengers across the Demerara River (Demerara Harbour Bridge) from 14:00h to 20:00h.
MARAD officers assisting passengers off of the boat they provided
Passengers wishing to be transported by the army buses are asked to assemble at the Ashmins building at the corner of High and Hadfield Streets Georgetown.
Also, 14 boats from the Parika Service were also added to the route to compliment the relief efforts of MARAD, Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, Guyana Police Force and Sheriff Security.
All support service vehicles operated free of cost on Friday.
The operators called the strike after MARAD made a decision not to increase the fares. MARAD wishes to reinforce that the fare for the Georgetown to Vreed-en-Hoop crossing remains one hundred dollars ($100.00).
However, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has expressed his dissatisfaction with the abrupt disruption of service which caused a massive build-up of traffic at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, leaving scores of commuters stranded.
A passenger, who spoke with Guyana Times stated that she does not see the additional $20 as unreasonable given the rise in the cost of living.
“Is not bad what the boatman wants because it’s a very long time $100, and the cost of living has gone up so I think twenty dollars is a joke to give the boatman them… as the Government care about the people in the country, they should give the twenty dollars more for the boatman them, cost of living is so high,” the passenger expressed.
Another passenger added that the decision by the speedboat operators to strike shows great disrespect for MARAD.
“It’s better for the commuters today… these people… normally exploit passengers, Sunday they take two hundred dollars… they have no respect for the system, so I think what they should do is suspend some of them,” the frustrated passenger explained.
