Region Seven Chairman, Holbert Knights has joined other Barticians in calling on the government to intervene in the latest increase in boat fares imposed by the speed boat association in the mining community.
Recently the speed boat operators at Bartica increased the fare for travel between Bartica and Parika on the East Bank of the Essequibo from $2000 to $2500, a move which many disgruntled residents criticized.
In a statement attributed to the office of the Regional Chairman, Knights, it was noted yesterday that no consultation was conducted by the speedboat association with citizens or governmental bodies.
The regional chairman added that numerous options can be explored through dialogue, a move which he noted would be beneficial to all concerned since the “only rationale” behind the fare raise was the current price for gas.
Passengers’ safety, comfort and their general well-being while travelling have been issues which have not been addressed, as the chairman lamented “another fare increase is upon us”.
According to the statement, while the importance and value of the speedboat service cannot be underestimated and while it appears that the recent increase has been accepted by some travellers, the chairman noted that the move was not sanctioned by the relevant authorities. It was noted too that while the boat operators may have their financial obligations and ambitions, “the exploitation of the very people we depend on is certainly not the best way of realizing such ambitions”.
The statement said that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), residents of the community and the travelling public were making an “emphatic plea” to the administration to intervene in the issue.
Meantime, residents noted yesterday that the increase in the fare was planned to coincide with the recent Bartica regatta activities but notices made public by the authorities had prevented the boat operators from applying the increase at the time.
Residents noted yesterday that the majority of the boats which ply the Bartica/Parika route are owned by an extended family circle, some of whom owned more that one boat.
A resident noted that through his line of work he has been using the speedboat service almost daily and according to him, the increase in fare would see the operators making a hefty profit while it was unclear how much of the sums gained would be paid over as taxes.
He explained that prior to the increase, on average boat operators, using the turn system, would make an average of $30,000 per return trip, which excludes the amount paid by passengers for baggage. With the new fare, the man said that the operators stand to gain an additional $20,000 per return trip. He noted too that while each boat, using the turn system, would operate an average of two days per week, most operators owned several boats, a situation which he noted was “exploitative”.
“Right now it’s an extended family who own more than 80% of the boats so we in Bartica have no choice”, another resident told this newspaper yesterday, adding that a “more reasonable” increase should have been considered.
Stabroek News had made several attempts to obtain a comment from the President of the speed boat association at Bartica, Clarence Bell but such efforts have been in vain as persons at his office noted that he was out of town.
The recent fare increase was viewed as sudden by Barticians and this newspaper understands that a group of residents of the community is planning to approach the Commerce Ministry in the coming days to air their concerns on the issue.
