The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) yesterday announced its intention to reclaim control over the identification of all public transportation in Georgetown from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) in what will be seen as the latest in a series of initiatives to gather more funds.
In a statement yesterday, the M&CC said that according to municipal laws it has responsibility for the identification of all public transportation operating in Georgetown. It said that this is supported under Section 301 (26) of the Municipal and District Council’s Act Chapter 28:01 which states that the Municipality has the authority, “to supervise, control and regulate hackney carriages and carts plying for hire and the drivers thereof.”
The city said that it is understood that the GRA has been overseeing the particulars of this service and is thus receiving related fees. The M&CC said that as part of its wider traffic management programme it is moving to reclaim status over this service.
In recent weeks, the city has signalled a 10% hike in rates and taxes, a $25,000 fee for containers parked on its parapets and a controversial scheme to garner funds from parking meters.
The statement said that the City’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Royston King is moving to write the state revenue collection agency to begin talks on reverting the management of identifying public transportation to the City. There is no position of CEO at the council. King is the Town Clerk and his role is to execute the business of the city and to act on decisions of council.
The statement noted that city by-laws declare the size and content of the hackney identification mark and that King has already decided that a new logo is necessary to depict a true Georgetown identity. While the Town Clerk initiates talks with the GRA, the statement said that he will also provide the Mayor and Councillors with a long paper on the subject for their deliberation.
King said in the statement that the identification of taxis, minibuses and other public automobiles by the city will help in the management of public transportation. Only authorized transportation will be allowed in designated areas and will be given preferential treatment as a city-registered operator. King noted also that it is the Municipality’s interest also to look into the service rendered to citizens by public operators. He said that many persons complain about loud music, overcrowding, drinking drivers and fast driving when traveling. King said that the city intends to engage drivers and/or the minibus unions to tackle these matters.
By the time the Council is finished implementing its plan for public transportation, King said there must be orderly, professional transportation being provided to citizens.
The management of transport identification will also be a source of revenue for the Council since the particular fee will now go to the city in which these vehicles operate, the statement added.
The Town Clerk has invited public comments on this matter. He also invited citizens to comment on the “Georgetown Mayor and City Council” ‘Green City’ face book page and visit for updates, notifications and information on the city.
