None of us can deny the severity of the congestion problem in Georgetown and it is only fair that citizens consider the need for action to appease the situation and the Governments’ effort in doing so.
The introduction of parking meters is indeed a valid move forward in these efforts to reduce traffic and generate some much needed revenue, and has obviously been successful in many other countries around the world. However, there are too many other developments needed before Guyana can sit behind the argument that they work in neighbouring Caribbean countries and the rest of the world.
In cities where there are parking restrictions to ensure regulated turnover of parking spaces, there are usually alternative parking solutions for long stay car parks to cater for those working full days or long shifts. Wages elsewhere can allow parking costs to be factored into weekly outgoings, but here in Guyana, when we consider the average wage, the cost of parking under present conditions would eat such a huge chunk out of the salary there would be little point in going to work in the first place.
In effect, what we will be experiencing is that after working hard and saving to own a car for the convenience of ourselves and our families, we will be forced to leave that convenience at home. What effect will that have on the motivation of our young people aspiring to provide themselves with a better lifestyle?
In these other countries, people have access to safe, reliable, public transport that runs mostly to schedule and allows you to arrive at work on time and reach home at a reasonable hour afterwards. We are all too aware of the dangers of travelling in public transport here in Guyana and also of the irregularity of arrival times.
Taking taxis will no doubt be the only solution for many but those costs will also bear much weight on the average earner. A trip from work to home and back will already be a financial strain, add to that a school pick up or a lunch time shopping trip and it will rack up costs higher than the parking. Taxis themselves are now under pressure to park in strategic spots around the city to be available for those leaving there cars home. Maybe the introduction of more taxi ranks should have been on the agenda before the parking solutions discussions.
The arduous waiting when we go into the bank, to pay a phone bill or buy something from a store means we will be forced to overpay to be secure in the knowledge we will not have to abandon our spot in the queue after an hour to re-feed the meter. Let’s be realistic, how much business or shopping can we take care of in 15 minutes, or even half an hour? The real deal here is that money can be made on those who fail to adhere to the time restriction; those stuck in queues!
There are many areas that have to be developed in order for the parking meters to be a viable option. This is an inevitable part of the development of Georgetown but it has come out of sequence and unless stringent concessions are made, there will no doubt be severe detrimental effects to businesses, education, and morale. Thankfully, talks are underway and the company responsible has solutions in place for those members of society who should be entitled to concessions and they seem open to further talks to iron out other concerns that are being raised.
Of course I have to voice the somewhat sceptical sentiments of those angry enough to rebel. If the majority of the public decide to vote now, as they were unable to do before implementation, by not paying, how will the company manage to enforce their penalties? There are over 3000 parking spaces, it would be interesting to know how many clamps they have and how many personnel it will take to Police the operation? It also has to be asked, how many of these personnel will be up for bribes and how many will be happy to pay to avoid the $8000 penalty?
The system is a move towards development, but without a solid infrastructure of good public transport, higher wages, alternative parking solutions and fair concessions, there will be a myriad of hiccups and crisis to overcome. Let’s hope this pushes forward developments in the other areas, which are no doubt already on the table, and that it is the catalyst for better future solutions; despite being ill-timed.
