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Motorists can clarify toll with relevant authorities

Jan 17, 2009 News

– Public Works Minister

The assignment of toll to vehicles crossing the Berbice Harbour Bridge will be determined by their weight and classification, according to Public Works Minister Robeson Benn.
The minister’s comment comes in wake of claims that the tolls have not been standardised since the bridge began operation a few months ago.
According to the minister, if a minibus is not a passenger carrier, but is laden with goods instead, there will in fact be a different toll charge assigned to it.
He also noted that a vehicle that is being used as a “joy rider” and is classified as a goods vehicle should by law have its unladen weight and the owner’s name and address clearly stated on the side. There have been a number of instances when motorists have claimed that they were given varying toll charges, contrary to the tolls published in the press.
But according to the minister, there is no attempt to defraud or trick motorists. He noted that persons have the right to query any concerns they have with the relevant authorities.
The minister also commented on a recent incident wherein founder of the Benschop Foundation, Mark Benschop, was initially requested to pay a toll of $7,000 for his pickup to cross the bridge, but in the end the amount was doubled.
According to the minister, the possibility exists that the staffers on duty were not at first aware of the classification of the vehicle, which is registered as a goods vehicle, nor of its size.
That incident had escalated to such an extent that it is now a matter that is before the courts.
But according to Minister Benn, the situation should not have even reached that far, since Benschop, like every other citizen, could have made contact with the relevant officials to have the matter clarified.
“Whatever problems Mr Benschop had, he could have made calls to us or the manager of the Bridge.
There was no necessity to block access to a public thoroughfare and to a public road,” the minister asserted.
He pointed out that citizens must be cognizant that they have the right to raise questions they may have about the toll structure with officials at his ministry or with those who represent the Bridge management, in order to have matters clarified, hopefully to a satisfactory level.

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