The Blairmont/New Amsterdam launch service which had started to run at a loss since the establishment of the Berbice River Bridge has been forced out of operation, resulting in many schoolchildren being affected.

Deonarine Mangal, 40, of Number One Settlement, Blairmont, owner of the launch – Miss Sonia – told Stabroek News that he shut down the service one month ago because “passengers not travelling like before and it cannot pay me.

“I sorry I had to close; the schoolchildren depended on the launch and at least my daily bread gone there. I depended on that to take care …..