Following a call made by the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) for an increase in toll prices, the administration is once again maintaining that it will not be bending over backwards. Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson has said no to suggestions of offering a bailout.
The Minister made this known to media operatives on the sidelines of the 12th National Toshaos Council (NTC) confabulation in Georgetown. He said that the government will continue to engage the company to find alternatives other than an increase in tolls. “Government’s position remains the same…We do think the proposed cost by the Berbice Bridge [Company] is in excess and will be burdensome to the citizens of Berbice,” he noted.
Over the weekend, Patterson made comments on the bridge, saying that the issue will be put before cabinet at its next meeting, which is scheduled for tomorrow.
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.
