The plight of the passengers continues to be perilous

Dear Editor,
Mass chaos, confusion and consternation confronted passengers on Friday, December 9, 2022, as they attempted to channel their way from the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling to Stabroek, and also from the Stabroek Stelling to Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling.
This inconvenience occurred as a result of the owners and operators of the water taxis going on strike unannounced, for a few dollars more. As passengers piled up waving, running and shouting frantically to drivers of minibuses, cabs and private cars, traffic built up on the western end of the bridge running for over two miles, despite the double-lane crossing being in effect.
Workers, school children, vendors, and those conducting business one way or the other were left out in the cold and rain, and at the mercy of sympathizers.
How can those ruthless water taxi operators be so callous, carefree and conniving as to call a strike on a crucial day like Friday, especially when it was raining? And above all, they did not inform passengers by way of a notice upfront. It just goes to show how merciless these guys are, and all they think about is their welfare, making money, and remaining unconcerned about the poor passengers who were left stranded for hours and had to battle their way on this part of their journey.
Thousands had to suffer the agony of running late, getting soaked in the rain, having to be squished as they fought for a place and space in some vehicle; and many were dumped at the eastern end of the bridge, and had to again face the music to get to their final destination.
Those bus drivers who decided to go all the way to Georgetown, many of them increased the fare.
A closer look at many of these water taxis would reveal the untidy, unkept and unhygienic conditions under which they operate. Their lifebuoys are dirty and damaged, and some are not in working condition. Their conductors are often not courteous, and bully their way with passengers; and boats would be pulling off without everyone having been seated. Often, these boats would have to return to the shore and ask passengers to leave, because the head count was incorrect and the boat would be overcrowded.
Operators are accustomed to hitting other boats alongside as they moor their boats, which causes passengers to fall or be thrown off balance and have to scramble or clutch on one another in order to prevent further accident. Operators also do not secure their boats firmly. When passengers are embarking or disembarking, the boats would sway and move away from the stairs, endangering passengers as they try to either get on or off. Some of these operators love to blast their music so loudly that a decent conversation with anyone or on the phone becomes impossible.
Why are they allowed to charge double fares at times? Agreed, not all operators are guilty of the aforementioned misdemeanours. Some are indeed polite, and do greet passengers respectfully, extending a helping hand and managing well-kept boats.
How often are these boats checked by the authorities for safety approval? We have seen so many accidents occurring, many of them leading to deaths, are these boats equipped with any sort of radio signal in event of any unforeseen circumstance? What would happen if both engines ‘konk’ out? Is there any watch tower with telescope or binoculars monitoring the movements of these boats? The PPP/C Government has reduced the price of gas, yet no road taxi or water taxi has reduced their fares. Now passengers are asked to pay more instead.
Why it is that the consumers are always the ones who have to face the heat and be at the receiving end of the shaft to pay the hefty penalty? It is past time the relevant authorities pay closer attention to the operation of these water taxis, and stop taking for granted that all is well.
Meanwhile, the plight of the passengers continues to be perilous.

Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall