Taxis, minibuses operating in front of DHB to be relocated

…move aimed at reducing traffic congestion – Minister

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill met with minibus and taxi operators who ply their trade at the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) on the tarmac at Peters’ Hall, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Edghill explained to the operators that they would have to be relocated to minimise traffic congestion and to allow emergency vehicles easier access to the Harbour Bridge.
Edghill stated that he preferred to speak with the operators rather than implement policies that would put them out of business.
It has been proposed that the bus drivers relocate to the parking lot opposite the DHB Head Office on the northern side of the Bridge, while the taxi drivers operate from the street before the Harbour Bridge, near the overpass.

One of the drivers informed the Minister that he was concerned that when they are repositioned, passengers may be unable to locate them. In response, Edghill assured the drivers that a notice would be disseminated to commuters.
Further, he reassured the operators that commuters would find them wherever they are relocated and the changes were absolutely necessary at this time.
He told the operators that the necessary infrastructure would be put in place to make the service comfortable. This would include asphalt paving of the locations, adequate lighting, and proper drainage.
“The issue is making a smooth transition. We want to ensure that economic activity continues,” the Minister said.
When Guyana Times visited the area on Wednesday afternoon, there were mixed reactions to the decision to relocate them.

“Awe feel pleased for coming and park here so, the Minister give we okay to park in the street here and I accept this here right now,” one driver said.
“I feel bad in a kind of way because here is tough for busmen, I working bus ‘bout eight years now, but I do it part time. I see this as way where people got to depend, they got their family, they got rent and all them things to pay. And we looking for some sort of betterment, because this here is pressure on we because if you use to take home $4000, you taking home $2000 now, and that can’t maintain you and your family, is hard on you, is like a couple morning now they move we,” another driver contended.
Others noted that they were not pleased but would comply with the decision.
“Well, in connection the parking area [to] that we discussed this morning [Wednesday], the taxi drivers are not so pleased about it, but still, we will try to make use of whatever we have here,” another driver said. “A next thing, we have a lot of buses coming in front the hire car park that we have discussed and if you notice, you have some over there, you have some bus over here, the Minister and the Demerara Harbour Bridge manager said that the buses supposed to be at the back and they’re at the front, and constantly, we are getting the same problem. I am not fully agreeing with what the Minister said, but like I said, we have to make much of what we have.”