Gov’t examining online booking for ferry service

─ priority crossing under review

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, MP, said Government is examining the introduction of online booking for its ferry services. Minister Edghill made the disclosure during a recent meeting in Queenstown, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

He said the ferry is scheduled to make three crossings per day. However, due to busy traffic to the Essequibo Coast, it now makes about seven crossings each day.

“We are looking at putting in an online booking service for the ferry so that people do not have to go there and line up all day. They would know exactly what ferry they are on because it could only carry a certain amount of vehicles” the minister said.

Minister Edghill said the move forms part of Government’s developmental agenda. The introduction of the online service, the Minister said, will also eliminate bribery at the ferry system. He said strict actions will be taken against those found guilty of the act.

“The priority crossing system at the ferry is under review and any person working with transport and harbour who is caught in acts of corruption, that taking money from people to guarantee them crossing and they do not have a special priority pass and they disadvantage people who are in the line, they will look for another job… “that is one of the reasons why we want to start the online booking service,” Minister Edghill stated.

Transport and Harbours Department recently announced measures to ease passenger struggles. This will see an additional and later daily departure from both Supenaam and Parika available commencing Friday, September 17, 2021. The latest departure of each day would be at 18:30 hours or 6:30 p.m.

A release from the department said the additional trips is a direct response to the request of the travelling public and will facilitate both businesses and individuals.