By Subhana Shiwmangal
Following a one day strike for a $20 fare increase, speedboat operators plying the route between Vreed-en-Hoop and Georgetown resumed operations on Saturday.
However, some operators were seen collecting the increased fare even as the government maintained that it had not been sanctioned.
When asked about the operators who were charging $120 for the trip yesterday, Minister of Public Work Juan Edghill said that the government sent monitors out to stop them from doing so. He maintained that there had been no increase in fares for speedboat operators plying the route and assured the public that the monitors will take action to sanction anyone who has been charging increased fares.
He reiterated also, that he has not appointed anyone to speak to the boat captains on behalf of the Government of Guyana or to negotiate anything on his behalf.
Edghill also noted that as it had done on Friday the government will put contingency measures in place to take passengers over for free if operators want to charge more.
When Stabroek News visited the Vreed-en-Hoop and Stabroek stellings yesterday morning, it did not observe any of the monitors.
However, it notice that some boat operators had pasted notices on the interior and exterior of their vessels stating that the fare had increased from $100 to $120 as of December 9.
On Friday, due to the decision by operators to take strike action, government was forced to put emergency measures in place to help stranded travellers. Boats were deployed by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and the Guyana Police Force as well Sheriff Security to transport persons free of cost. Additionally, 14 boats from the Parika service were also allowed to operate along the route. Additionally, the Guyana Defence Force deployed six buses to assist in shuttling passengers across the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
Secretary of the Demerara River Speedboat Association Poshan Khemraj yesterday told Stabroek News that members of the association decided to resume work after Friday’s strike since it was clear that the authorities would not approve the increase.
He said they were still charging $100 for the Vreed-en-Hoop to Georgetown run. He did note that there were some operators who were charging a higher fare and he was aware of the notices they had put up in their vessels, for which no authority was given by the association. The notice was not on his boat.
Despite the government’s opposition, Khemraj once again pleaded the case of the operators as he pointed out that passengers were willing to pay the higher fare. He also said boat operators who ply the Parika to Supenaam and Leguan routes had increased their fares.
Boat operator Vishnu Lalchand was among those operating with the notice for the increase in fare on his boat. He noted that he and others were informed that the government could not suspend their licences or take it away from them just for posting the notice.
Lalchand took the position that that if the passengers want to pay it, he will accept it and if not, that was okay as well as one day they will realize why they are asking for the increase.
Stabroek News spoke to some passengers and while some accepted paying the increase, others felt they were being exploited.
Nathanael McIntosh said that he didn’t see a problem in paying the $120 yesterday.
However, Monifa Hector, who said she paid the $120 thinking the fare had officially been increased, accused the operators of exploitation and called their notices misleading.
Meanwhile, the Alliance For Change (AFC) on Saturday called for the urgent resolution to the strike action, which it said had negatively affected businesses and commuters in Region Three.
In a statement today, the AFC said hundreds of people commuting between Region #3 and Region #4 via speedboat are affected by the strike action and are now forced to use the Demerara Harbour Bridge. In addition, the situation has increased an already overcrowded problem on the East Band and West Bank of Demerara public roads. It is already known that during peak hours, the traffic situation becomes chaotic and stressful, causing some motorists and other commuters to ignore traffic regulations.
“It is no secret that speedboat operators are charged $1500 daily for docking fees and other services. This requirement for many operators presents a challenge as inflation, and other operational expenses consume much of the paltry earnings. We would, therefore, encourage the government to examine the possibility of offering a workable waiver of the landing fees to ease the burden on the operators,” the party suggested in a statement.
In addition, it recommend that the authorities also consider the option of a $1000 per day fuel credit redeemable at GUYOIL to each registered speedboat operator. It said the strike has had its impact on business in general in Region Three, especially during this peak commercial season and therefore urged a speedy resolution to the impasse as it said no effort should be spared to settle the situation among the negotiating entities.
