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Good Hope ferry operational but trucks at a disadvantage
Despite, the new Good-Hope ferry stelling being put into operation recently, truck owners are dissatisfied with the new arrangements under which they are currently consigned to operate.
Frustrated trucks owners strongly argue that in their operation as trucker drivers, their toll loads have been reduced by half, from 16 tons, to nine tons for cargo.
Lakeram Ramdial, of Hampton Court, a truck driver who used the Adventure Ferry service for the past 15-years, argued that the significant reduction from 16 tons would incur tremendous pressure on all truck owners, since the profit that should have been derived whenever goods are redistributed, would be lost.
“What sense does it make to build a new stelling and truck owners are not able to fully utilise the new service? I see it as a political gimmick. The government wants to see the stelling work even though it is not properly fixed to accommodate trucks,” Ramdial lamented.
Another truck owner who weighed in on the current situation, asked, “Why build a multi-million-dollar stelling that can only accommodate nine tons maximum? Are we going forward, backward or Bennward.’’
According to the truck owner, rice harvesting is in full swing and rice, lumber and other produce would have to be transported, via the ferry.
“What are we to do? Sit and die because of a Bennward tide, reduced tonnage and high fare?”
The businessman further noted that a lower tonnage means a higher transportation cost for goods. Therefore flour, sugar, and peas, cement, and steel rods, just to name a few items, will all attract higher prices.
According to the irate businessman, his fellow truck owners would operate under a system that would accommodate 22.4 tons.
Truck owners said they are strongly suggesting that they be allowed to operate at Adventure which can accommodate16 tons, until the Good Hope Ferry Stelling can be regularised.
We see no problem with light or smaller vehicles using the new stelling.
The businessman, stressed, “Just as it is feasible to operate a vessel to carry 20 persons to Leguan, we need a service too.”
Hiran Narine, another truck owner, who hails from Riverstown said that with the new system at Good Hope, “the situation is hampering us tremendously. Although, the new stelling was put into use on Saturday, last, truck operators are still using the Adventure ferry stelling.
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