Smoother travels for Kwakwani commuters as bus drivers reduce fares

– following road upgrades

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Drivers plying the Linden to Kwakwani route have reduced bus fares from $3,000 to $2,500, following significant upgrades to the Linden/Ituni/Kwakwani road. This move was welcomed by residents, especially those who travel regularly.

In 2017, drivers increased the fare by $500 citing added expenses due to the condition of the road. However, following the repairs, drivers report that they making fewer trips to the “repair shops and their vehicles are consuming less gas”, hence the fare reduction.

Regional Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph expressed satisfaction with the price reduction. He also lauded the Ministry of Natural Resources for addressing the issue, and allocating substantial funds needed to execute major repairs on the road. “The trail is very smooth right now, and the drivers have kept their word, and so residents now have an ease of $500 and I am very happy for that”, Adolph said.

Commuters said the time taken from Linden to Kwakwani is now between one and a half to two hours as opposed to the previous four to five-hour trip.  “The road is very smooth right now, if you leave Linden by eight, before ten, you are in Kwakwani”, one Kwakwani-based teacher said.

The repair works commenced at the end of the rainy season in July. There were no weather-related challenges and repairs include ditching, excavating, section repairs of soft spots and filling with laterite.

The government approved more than $650Million from Guyana Geology and Mines Commission’s (GGMC) funds to facilitate the various road projects critical to miners and forest operators in the gold, diamond and timber industries. The multi-million-dollar projects are being executed by the Natural Resources Ministry with funding from GGMC, and technical assistance from the Public Infrastructure Ministry. The Rockstone–Mabura road is also being repaired.

Member of Parliament Audwin Rutherford pointed out that the contractor did an excellent job and also upgraded some internal roads not included in the agreement. This, he stressed, is “value for money.”

Regional officials are urging residents to monitor the road works being executed by the contractors to ensure it is in keeping with the scope of works since such projects are community projects, and benefit everyone.

Story and Image: Vanessa Braithwaite