M&CC moves ahead with paid parking for minibus operators

Mar 16, 2016 News

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is moving ahead with consultations towards the permanent implementation for paid parking arrangements for public transport providers around the city.
Last month, Town Clerk Royston King announced a plan by the Council to introduce order and encourage the minibus operators to adapt modern and acceptable parking practices. During the meeting with scores of minibus operators from around the city, King revealed a number of plans by the Council to transform sections of Georgetown into a city more on par with those of the developed world.
While a significant number of the operators had agreed to introduction of the parking toll of $200 per day, there was some divergence over the paid parking system. Some opined that the fee was too much, while others argued that they should not pay for parking in the city.
To that end, the Town Clerk had agreed to continue discussions with the operators until a consensus could be reached. However a number of weeks have elapsed since the first meeting and City Hall officials have noted that while consultations continue, a significant number of operators have been adhering to the new rules.

Town Clerk Royston King (centre) at a meeting with a group of minibus operators following a recent consultation.

“We have been seeing results of the changes. A majority of the operators have been cooperating with the council in matters of upgrading the minibus parks,” says M&CC Public Relations Officer, (PRO) Debra Lewis.
Lewis explained that in the cases of operators who are adamant in not following the new rule, the law will take its course.
The PRO explained that there are sections of the law which provide for the Mayor and City Council, a statutory body to regulate and manage the affairs of the city; this includes parking spaces. “If they are found in violation of the Council’s rule there is grounds for prosecution.” Lewis added.
However, since the introduction of the fees, many minibus owners have been vocal in their objection to the toll. One driver even pointed out that the new toll by City Hall will see minibus operators expending another $60,000 or $70,000 from their budgets annually.
But the Town Clerk said that the toll is just one aspect of the plans to upgrade Georgetown. He announced that the municipality will seek to clear the entire Stabroek Market area of the vehicular congestion. King revealed plans to relocate operators in this section of the city.
“In other words, you will not be allowed to continue operating in the Stabroek area within another month or two. What we are hoping to do is to ensure that that particular area is cleared of everything. All we want is a nice open space where we can have other social and allied activities,” King told the bus operators.
He said too that the Council is in the process of identifying other areas to provide suitable parking facilities for the operators. According to the Town Clerk, the toll system has been in the pipeline for some time.
“We are not trying to hinder the services you are providing, but rather, to organize it in a manner that will help you to make more money, have safer roads and provide better service for citizens,” the Town Clerk said. He noted that separate discussions were held with taxi owners and operators.
According to King, the Municipality will seek to add a number of other features to enhance the new parking facilities. These include bus sheds, garbage receptacles, security and the elimination of the trend of “hot plates” and “touting” at the bus parks.
“Most of the monies are coming from the rates paid by property owners, government subventions and fees for processing of plans. We have a number of other things to do, so what you are seeing now is the minimal…so we all could be proud of our city,” he stated.