This lady’s traffic plans need adjusting

Jul 17, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
Is there a saying, “Don’t plan my life unless you have walked in my shoes?” If not, there should be. This is in response to the letter entitled “I am no longer enamored with the coalition” by one Lorna Abraham in Thursday’s Kaieteur News. I’m referring specifically to her suggestions which are supposed to ease the traffic congestion in Georgetown.
The problem with Guyanese who reside abroad suggesting ideas to be implemented locally is that they don’t put themselves in the shoes of the average person here, as is evidently the case with Ms. Abraham.
If her suggestions were implemented, how much would it cost, for example, an average store worker to pay these extra finances daily from her meager salary?
Is a system like this in use in any other major city abroad? If so, which?
While Guyana’s coastal towns are ideal for bicycle riding, providing and having everyone mounted on rented city bicycles presents its own logistical nightmares which would result in others pointing the accusing finger of ineptitude at the Coalition once again. Guyanese are too smart and, unfortunately, too many of us are too dishonest not to invent schemes to spirit away bicycles provided for citizens to get around the city.
History has taught us that Government taking the reins of owning and running buses and other vehicles for transportation results in disaster. Do the names Tata, Caio etc. ring a bell? Did I read correctly or did she actually suggest that goods should only be transported on Saturdays to business places? As a business person who needs supplies a minimum of three times per week or if I’m a practicing Jew or Seventh Day Adventist, I would be quaking in my business boots at such a suggestion.
While I do agree more parking lots should be made available, especially around the downtown area, her suggestions on how people should get to these outlying parking lots to the center of the city needs rethinking.
Bicycles should be made cheaper but woe unto those who cannot ride.
One is tempted to suggest providing roller-skating boards for getting around more easily from these parking lots, but I foresee a problem with robust Mrs. Narine maneuvering her way on roller skates from the Stelling to her bank on Rob Street to conduct her transaction.
One might even be facetious enough to suggest Guyanese do more walking but, alas, unlike the U.S. we’re not a nation of fat people and do not need this much exercise. My suggestion, therefore, is a significant revamping of this Master Plan by Ms. Abraham.
More parking lots and bicycles sold cheaply for those gifted with the “riding gene.” Then, with the influx of so many bicycles, we have to think about whether or not to paint bicycle lanes on our already too narrow streets.
Target some of those vacant lots or spots with dilapidated abandoned buildings to be converted into parking lots. There seems to be quite a few of these along Water Street between Guyana Stores and Tiger Bay area.
Parking meters are not a bad idea since it discourages people from hogging the parking spot for the entire day.
People should be able to drive into the city, park for half an hour to transact business and move on again, giving others a chance to do the same.
How they acquire these parking meters is another pot of trouble which I’m not prepared to stir at this sitting.
While suggestions from Guyanese overseas are welcomed, it would be more practical if said Guyanese temper such suggestions by putting themselves in the shoes of Guyanese at home who do not possess the earning power of our brethren abroad.
Failing to consider this would soon have us receiving suggestions proposing the Coalition seriously invest in a subway system (yes, in under sea level Georgetown) to ease the congestion in our Garden City.
Malcolm Alves

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