Guyana needs a rail service

Dec 29, 2011 Editorial

Not yet ten years ago, there was talk that Guyana would resurrect the railroad along coastal Guyana. Indeed, this country had the first railway on the South American continent. We scrapped it when oil became a cheap commodity. Never in our wildest dreams did we expect that oil would have been the devil it is today… wreaking havoc with many economies.
The railway was a money spinner for cargo at a time when the roads in rural Guyana were atrocious; when trucks were not the modern vehicles they are today and their fixed axles caused the un-surfaced roads to deteriorate fast.
There was a time when people put their cars on the trains to get them to the city. On East Coast Demerara, the roads beyond the lower East Coast were simply horrible and almost impassable. It was no different on West Demerara. People travelling to locations along the Essequibo River would simply take the train.
Rice farmers made the most use of this form of transport and Transport and Harbours Department organized the railway system so that there was a link with every service offered by the department. For example, trains had to run at a certain time to catch a certain ferry. If the train was delayed, so too was the ferry.
Oil was cheap then and Guyana undertook some massive road works. There was the construction of the East Coast Demerara Public Road leading all the way to Rosignol. It also scrapped the West Demerara rail service. Travel was so much quicker. In the end the railway became redundant for people travelling the longer distances.
The government scrapped the East Coast railway in parts, eventually dismantling it all together. Then came the 1973 oil crisis. Even as Guyana was reaping a windfall from rice and sugar on the international market, the oil crisis was beginning to bite. The local currency devalued rapidly and suddenly the government recognized that scrapping the railway was a horrible mistake.
In hindsight one would say that scrapping the railway was precipitate but then again, with the global economy being relatively stable at that time, no one could have expected the backlash when the Middle East decided that it was going to use oil as a weapon against the West.
In countries where there are railways, it has been found that they are by far the cheapest mode of transport. In addition, they move large numbers of people at a time. The configuration of the tracks allow for travel across the shortest possible distance. This is good for fuel consumption and would prove cost effective.
Had there been a rail service in Guyana, the long lines at the various bus parks would not have been a reality. These days people spend hours at the bus park and then literally fight to board the buses. Some of them must endure discrimination and on many occasions watch helplessly as buses refuse to take them and their children.
The former President Jagdeo must have recognized the advantages of having a railway and discussed the possibility during a visit to India. The cost must have been prohibitive because since that early announcement, there has been no further discussion on the matter.
And while Guyana can only sit and wonder what if, others are planning to construct railroads. Bolivia’s President Evo Morales is planning a railway linking his country to Peru. This railway would run from the border with Brazil to the Peruvian port. The reason is that it is cheaper to ship cargo by rail than by road. Guyana at one time thought otherwise.
Bolivia is getting help from the Chinese who have said that they are keen to make the project a reality. And as fate would have it, China has the fastest train in the world. The Chinese are also in Guyana undertaking many projects. It is strange that the idea of a railway has not been mooted.

11 thoughts on “Guyana needs a rail service”

Mike Persaud December 29, 2011 at 8:35 am

Another reason we need the railway: it burns fewer barrels of fossil fuels to transport 75,000 people each day than it would cost to transport them by thousands of minibuses. We should rebuild the railway with the Norway money. We should rebuild the railway, even if the only reason is to reduce the effects of global warming.

Another reason is less pressure on the roadways: fewer road deaths; lower maintenance cost.
JosephPrashad December 29, 2011 at 9:00 am

Every decent country needs decent transport, and govt totally blind to see the needs, and most economic ways of transportation safe and efficient. Guyana have vast land to put the railway back, they need directions and motivation and urgency.
peterguy December 29, 2011 at 9:43 am

This is one of the best articles written on the transpartation situation in Guyana. The most cost effective way to transport people and goods to key points in Guyana is by having a reliable railway net work. You don’t have to rely on the Chinese, what about our neighbours to the south Brazil; they have the technology and the know the terrain. Also they presently have the ability to raise money, plus they need a gateway to the Atlantic. Put the politics aside and work for the good of the country and the people.
Ravi Sankar December 29, 2011 at 10:43 am

The railroad operations cost would be quite lower with hydro scheme. The reliability of electricity would very important if that means of power is chosen. It would make much better sense to use electricity.
fmguycan December 29, 2011 at 12:05 pm

One of the biggest blunders of Burnham while he enrich himself. Any country that is without rail service is at a disadvantage.

Much cheaper to move goods and service and even people.I am sure this will help reduce road carnage.

Remembered as a kid traveling through the west coast unto Parika.What a picturesque scene close to rice fields and farms.

If this country is serious about tourism they better get their house in order as soon as possible.

Train service can aid tourism.
Gewt December 29, 2011 at 2:50 pm

Living on a coninent we have large landmasses on which to construct rail transport.This mode of transportation is by far cheaper to run, maintain and is cost efficient even when it comes to human lives.It is hoped that the PPP administration seriously consider returning to this form of public transport before it becomes an impossible option, as it has become in Brazil. Like us they made the same mistake in dismantling their rail service, and like us they are paying the price , especially in loss of life. Just over the Christmas weekend More than 100 persons died on the roads in Brazil.Today ,even though Brazil´s highways are poorly maintaiined are have become traps for higwaymen, and deadbeds for many pedestrians and motorists, it is impossiblbe to curb the demand for cars and buses and trucks. Thus the motorways will continue indefinitely. There are big plans for a Super highspeed modern railway between the two big capitals of Rio and Sao Paulo. And although several regions have their own rail services, a national grid is unlikely in the future. Guyana´s future as a food producer for the Caribbean will be enhanced with an effciently run rail service.
godzilla123 December 29, 2011 at 6:21 pm

I agree reintroduction of public rail transport would be an asset for the economy and the scrapping of it in the 70’s was a big mistake, even the PNC had admitted it. As GEWT said “it is far cheaper to run, maintain and cost effecient” In addition,It will also put less stress on the roadways, thus hopefully,less road deaths and also a great service for tourism as the country progresses as I forsee it will in all its important aspects
Dunza December 30, 2011 at 3:00 am

We had such a good such a good public transportation system ,.the railway and the private bus service, that covers the whole country and was destroyed by the PNC government, Burnham era .The new government should consider to bring back the railway , .from mahaica to georgetown the train was always full ,that would ease a lot of traffic off East coast roads. The Bus service should de introduced back and get most of the killer mini bus off the roads.
Dunza December 30, 2011 at 3:11 am

we need the railroad and bus transportation back to ease traffic off the road ,too many mini buses that speed and caused accidents.DO something new government you have more experience than Jagdeo all over the there is public transportation buses and trains.
1938nat1911 December 30, 2011 at 5:58 am

Before I left Guyana in February 1961 to pursue studies abroad, I used to pay $2.11 for a return train ticket to travel from Rosignal to Georgetown and $4.00 to travel by motor car. Using the train was some 50% cheaper.
When Burnham proposed to abolish the railways, I told a few of my senior colleagues and friends that it was foolish to do so. As the Georgetown/Rosignal highway was completed in late 1967 or early 1968, I felt that the diverted cargo on large trucks on the highway would necessitate a great deal of extra maintenance to ensure that the carriageway would be kept to a reasonable standard, not to mention the congestion closer to Georgetown, road accidents and fatalities. Indeed, my predictions came to pass, and many people, including the PNC
regime, I believe, subsequently expressed regrets regarding the demise of the railways in Guyana. Now it is prohibitive, costs wise, to rebuild the railways. However, if there is any intention to reintroduce raiways in Guyana, it is better to do it sooner than later as time progresses, costs increase exponentially. A cost/benefit analysis should be carried out as soon as possible as to the feasibility of rebuilding the railways. In such a study proper regard should be given to unquantifiable social costs and benefits.
psydum December 30, 2011 at 7:29 am

I still remember vivid in my mind the last days of the west coast train. I was a young boy am my visonary father made me an my brother enjoy the free ride to the very end from Vreed-en-hoop to Parika!