On Friday, February 26, at 8.30 am my car joined the line at Parika to get on the ferry to Adventure. One ferry was already full, and there were five small vehicles (cars and vans) parked on the stelling, waiting on another ferry that was to depart at 1 pm the same day. This ferry was eventually filled with vehicles which were not in the line, and left behind those which were entitled to travel. Those in authority kept saying that they were priority vehicles, and vehicles destined for Wakenaam. In other words, about fifteen vehicles bypassed us and got on the ferry. This is grossly unfair, and leaves one to wonder why this should be, as everyone pays their prescribed fares.
At about 2 pm the stranded vehicles were allowed to park on the stelling, with indications that another ferry would start loading at 3am the next morning, and depart for Adventure at 5 am. I could not leave my car, as I had some supplies in it, including some frozen stuff in an ice pitcher; and I could not send my children to travel and stay by themselves, so we all had to stay with the vehicle. The toilets were locked around 4.30 pm and the attendant left the stelling, so the travellers had no toilet facilities or water.
The vehicles got on the ferry at 3 o’clock next morning, and waited for the 5 am departure. By this time everyone was hungry and thirsty, as the stelling gates were locked. At 4.30 am a goodly gentleman offered to look for something to eat or drink out on the public road, but the security guard refused to open the gates for him. This guard then opened the gates to let out a bus that had loaded some boxes/cartons on the stelling, but told the waiting gentleman that she would promptly lock the gates and would not open them until 5.30 am, while the ferry would depart at 5 am, so nobody got to purchase anything.
This should be of special interest to the Minister of Tourism, as some tourists might surely enjoy such an experience. The GRA/Customs should also say if goods should be taken off a wharf at 4.30 am in the absence of customs officers, or if Transport & Harbours Department guards are empowered to act as customs officers, as this bus was not a T&HD commuter at that time, and certainly did not pay for a gate-pass from T&HD, as the office was closed. Yet this bus was allowed ingress/egress while genuine commuters suffered.
In conclusion, I would like to suggest that the enclosed, shaded area on the stelling be used to accommodate vehicles as they arrive to travel, thereby preventing other vehicles that arrive later from bypassing them. This area is large enough to accommodate enough vehicles to fill one ferry, but is not being used. Vehicles are not allowed to park in this area, except maybe one or two cars, and certainly not the ones waiting to go on the ferry; these have to wait in the sun. There should also be a strict booking system, including the times, so that no commuter could be robbed of their rightful turn to travel.
On another note, tickets for vehicles should be sold when the vehicle joins the line, and the vehicle should be allowed to go on any other business, instead of being parked in the line until the next day, etc. Further, should such a vehicle fail to be at the stelling one hour before the departure time of the designated ferry, the ticket fee should be forfeited, thereby creating further revenue for T&HD, and making the process of travelling much more organized. The stelling authorities can then say how many vehicles they have booked to travel, and can tell a commuter right away if they could get on a specific ferry, or at what time to return for the next ferry, thereby easing much punishment, stress and frustration.
I sincerely hope those in authority would do something quickly to alleviate the suffering and punishment of those who are apparently cursed to want to visit the Essequibo Coast with their vehicles.
Yours faithfully,
D Persaud
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to the Transport and Harbours Department for any comments they might wish to make.
