Latest update December 17th, 2024 12:02 AM
Consultations underway for improvement of Ferry stellings – Minister Benn
Consultations are ongoing on the prospect of improving the condition of the current ferry stellings for the safety and efficiency of passengers.
The current dock at Vreed –en- Hoop being used by commuter to access the water taxis.
This is according to Minister of Public Works, Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, who revealed that discussions on the possibilities of transforming sections of the current structures into floating docks were discussed during consultations spearheaded by the Transport and Harbours Department, (TH&D) and the Maritime Administration Department, (MARAD).
“We have been looking at concepts of redesigning and building prototypes at the moment, to improve capacity and providing a safer facility for passengers disembarking and embarking the water taxis at these landings….We are looking to try out a floating dock, we are looking at some designs with a dock, a ramp and platform that will respond to the tide and evade some of the inefficiencies.”
“We have asked contractors to put to the first trial sections, then we will decide on the material whether it will be wood and float, drums or metal and wood and drum, Benn added
He noted that “the current arrangements at the landings are not of the best, especially at peak hours, when passengers are being discharged and loaded unto to the vessels. I am told that when the tide is very low it can take up to 20 minutes for the boats to offload causing a backup of the small passengers at Stabroek because vessels have to wait their turn to offload.”
Minister Benn says that particular consideration has been given to the ports at Georgetown, Vreed-en- Hoop and Parika.
“We had to optimize to provide better conditions for the public, since rehabilitation especially to Vreed- en-Hoop and Georgetown stellings, is definitely something that has been needed for quite some time.”
The ferry stellings across the Demerara River have been in a state of disrepair for more than a decade. The harbours cater to the transportation needs of hundreds of commuters, who have continuously raised concerns about its decaying structure.
At present a section of the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling is utilized by small scale clothing and food vendors, the port also operates as a temporary parking facility, which Minister Benn say can be considered as a method of providing revenue for maintenance of the Stelling.
“That undertaking started a few years ago, providing maintenance in terms of washroom facilities and so forth, is definitely some of the things that will be looked at.”
Asked about the possibility of the larger passenger vessels returning to the operation, Minister Benn said that it is not something that is being considered at this point.
An impression of the floating dock being considered to replace to current stelling structures.
Meanwhile, General Manager of the Demerara Habour Bridge, (DHB), Rawlston Adams, disclosed that TH&D recorded a 20 % increase in terms of passengers traversing the area within the last year. Adams participated in the consultation, on the potential of redesigning the stellings.
“The Demerara Harbour caters to an average of 17,000 vehicles per daily, thus transforming the stellings to provide better services will reduce the difficulty associated with commuters crossing the river.”
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