Government improving ‘access, comfort’ for Vreed-en-Hoop water taxis

The government is working on improving access and comfort for persons using water taxis to cross the Demerara River to and from Stabroek, Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

“Access in terms of getting up, getting down, shed so that you could move during the rain, take into consideration elderly people have to use the service, all of that,” Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill told the News Room during a recent interview.

Edghill highlighted that while the large structure, specifically at the Stabroek Market is in a deplorable condition, the water taxis utilize sections of the structure which are being fixed.

“That is the work that is ongoing and where we go from that, in terms of actual big expansion of the stelling, is a decision to be made and to be determined but there’s going to be no ferries there in a hurry,” he said.

The Public Works Minister noted that the government is looking at ferries for Essequibo, Wakenaam, Leguan, Coomaka, Fort Island, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Bartica and a ferry to traverse down the Berbice river.

He noted that with the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, which is scheduled to be completed in two years and will not be subjected to scheduled openings for vessels to pass, eventually people will have 24-hour access across the river.