Speedboat strike: Army buses to move passengers from GT to Vreed-en-hoop

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works has said Army buses will be used to transport citizens from Georgetown to Vreed-en-hoop, West Coast Demerara this afternoon.

This follows strike action by Demerara speedboat operators.

The speedboat operators are demanding an increase in fares but the authorities have urged citizens not to pay and to report speedboat operators who charge more than the $100 fare.

The operators would on weekends and holidays charge passengers $200, saying they are operating at half-load but oftentimes carry much more than that.

Coast guard vessels are being used to transport passengers across the river and Minister Indar along with Legal Director of MARAD, Thandi McAlister, have sought to engage operators who ply the Essequibo River to transfer to Georgetown to help in ferry passengers.