Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn on Wednesday met with the members of the Berbice Minibus Association to discuss their request for a new bus route to ply areas once served by the Rosignol/Georgetown ferry service.
The meeting stemmed from an earlier meeting the Association had with President Bharrat Jagdeo, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. Chairperson of the Association Dennis Chesney said a new bus route plying Rosignol/D’Edward/New Amsterdam is needed to replace the ferry service from Rosignol to Georgetown and to stop “hot plating” by minibuses plying other routes. He also asked for bus parks to be established at the two ends of the route.
The proposed route number is 56. Currently the area boasts three other minibus routes. Buses numbered 63A ply the Georgetown to Moleson Creek route; 50, the Georgetown to Rosignol route and 63, the Corriverton to New Amsterdam route.
Rohee said that the administration is concerned about the public’s safety and the maintenance of discipline within the Association to ensure its smooth operation. As regard the erection of bus parks Benn said that a traffic engineer will be dispatched to study the environment and to make recommendations for their location.
According to GINA the meeting agreed that the 63 A route would not be abolished, rather the number of buses plying that route would be limited; a new route 56 would be implemented; the 50 and 63 routes would be prevented from plying the bridge route; a designated park would be assigned for route 56 buses; wardens will be assigned to ensure discipline at the bus park and these wardens will be selected to be rural constables.
The meeting also agreed that the Police Traffic Department will assist with enforcing the said measures; there will be a new road licence for route 56; there will be no increase in prices; the Association will adjust its rules pertaining to new members and it will engage the home ministry and the Guyana Police Force before formulating rules.
GINA said the chairmen of regions five and six democratic councils, B Division Commander, Assistant Commissioner Steve Merai, B Division traffic officers and other regional officials attended the meeting.
