Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson recently stated that the issue regarding the proposed increase in tolls at the Berbice Harbour Bridge, will be placed before Cabinet.
In fact, Patterson said he intends to bring the matter up for discussion at the next meeting of ministers. His comments in this regard come almost three days after the government issued a statement, saying that it will not give into any request, nor will it go back on its campaign promise, which was to make the fees more affordable to the populace.
Patterson told media operatives as he arrived for the 90th Sitting of the 11th Parliament that while he personally does not support the increase, Cabinet will have to decide on what measures will be taken.
Earlier this week, the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo made two recommendations on the way forward. Since the company claimed that it was not making enough profits to offset operational, maintenance and payments costs, Jagdeo suggested that the government inject a subsidy to keep the fares at their current rate. He also opined that the government must move to buy out the shares of other shareholders so that the asset will be more “publicly owned.”
The proposed increases for various categories of vehicles are cars from $2200 to $8040; minibuses from $2200 to $8040; pickups from $4000 to $14600; 4WD from $4000 to $14600; small trucks from $4000 to $14600; medium trucks from $7600 to $27720; large trucks from $13600 to $49600; articulated trucks from $32,000 to $116,680 and boats from $110,000 to $401,040.
