MARAD urges commuters to report errant operators

Unlawful double fares

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has renewed its call to commuters utilising the water taxi services to make reports of any form of unlawful behaviour from boat operators, especially those who demand a double fare on Sundays and holidays.
On Friday, Harbour Master Michael Tennant in a public statement reminded passengers of the standard fare for the various water taxis routes.
In his missive, Tennant said the fare from Georgetown to the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling is $100 while the fare from the Parika Stelling to Eastern Wakenaam is $1000 and $1300 from Parika to the Wakenaam/Supenaam Stelling. The fare from the Parika Stelling to Bartica is $2500.
“Any demands for additional sums by operators/owners should be reported to MARAD, indicating the vessel’s name, and time of travel,” MARAD said.
The Department is urging passengers to make their reports on telephone numbers 225-7330 or 226-3356 or inbox messages via the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/maradguyana.
Earlier last week, Guyana Times was told that boat operators who double charge their passengers on Sundays and holidays were being suspended for the unlawful practice.
This was related to this publication by the Harbour Master, who explained that the move comes weeks after this newspaper had published several articles in which commuters called for MARAD’s invention in the situation. “We have already said that persons who are overcharging people and all such like, all the persons have to do is provide the name of the boat to us, and we will take the necessary action,” Tennant reminded.
He said he was unable to give an approximate number of boat operators who have been suspended, but noted that MARAD has begun to clamp down on errant operators in an effort to stamp out exploitation.
Guyana Times had previously reported that boat operators were charging double fare on Sundays and holidays, much to the discomfiture of the travelling public.
This newspaper was informed that boat operators usually demand a fare increase of an additional $100 when they transport half the number of passengers on this route.
Passengers have also detailed cases when they were forced to pay the extra $100, some without even knowing that the additional fee is unlawful.
Back then, when Guyana Times visited the Georgetown stelling, some disgruntled passengers opined that the fare increase was quite burdensome and “unfair”. An angry passenger had said, “I ain’t get raise on my salary, so I ain’t concern with no raise of fare! I won’t go for no raise of fare!”
A bowman who spoke to this newspaper had said the fares are increased on Sundays and holidays because those are not full working days.
“Sundays and holidays is $200 (charged) because we ain’t supposed to be working. So them man does come out because them ain’t got nothing fuh do (and them want) fuh try and help de passengers to get across more fast. $200 a head. Me ain’t know why them (passengers) does row, because this is de cheapest boat fare around here,” he had declared.