In light of the APNU+AFC government’s attempts to realise lower fares for commuters crossing the Berbice River, the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has called for a “significant reduction” in the fares of the ferries plying the Supenaam to Parika route.
“There must be equitable distribution of resources and wealth across the country,” the PPP said in a press statement issued yesterday, while calling on the David Granger administration to reduce the ferry fares forthwith.
In the statement, the party said the cost to cross the Berbice River Bridge return with a minibus and 15 passengers is $1,900, while the same minibus with 15 passengers pays $7,680 to cross with the ferry from Supenaam to Parika and back. “There-fore, residents of Region Two who are using the ferry pay in excess of 250% more than what those using the Berbice River Bridge pay.”
The actual cost for a minibus with a 15 passenger capacity to cross the Berbice Bridge is $2,200 whether there are passengers in the bus or not, although government has been seeking to negotiate a reduction to $1,900.
Stabroek News spoke with several persons who regularly use the Esse-quibo ferries and they noted that they are not familiar with any persons who take a minibus to cross on the ferry. Rather, commuters travel as individuals paying $380 for a one-way crossing. Others will sometimes travel with their personal vehicles, which costs $1,520 one way, which is about 30% less than the $2,200 that a similar trip across the Berbice River would cost.
The PPP claims in its statement “that a significant reduction in these fares will no doubt have a positive impact on businesses as well as the farming community, the poor and vulnerable in in Region Two.”
However a Region Two businessman who spoke with Stabroek News feels that the comparison between the cost to cross the two rivers is not fair since the Essequibo crossing is “much, much longer” than that of the Berbice River.
Meanwhile, the PPP has called for the establishment of an oversight committee made up primarily of residents in good standing in Region Two to oversee a total review of the operations of the two ferries, inclusive of their schedule.
“This review must take into consideration the need to give priority at all times to vehicles transporting perishable items, as well as those transporting the sick, elderly and the disabled. This review must also take into consideration allegations of favouritism, discrimination, bribery and corruption by persons employed at the Transport and Harbours Department leveled by those who utilise the ferries on a constant basis,” the statement says.
The current ferry fare structure was instituted under the former PPP/C administration.
