An electoral eclair

Sep 08, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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Kaieteur News – The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC) knows how to win elections. Their history is marked by gestures—subtle and grand—designed to pull the masses toward them.

The latest announcement, waiving all tolls across Guyana’s river bridges upon the completion of the new Demerara River Bridge, fits neatly into this tradition of electoral sweeteners. On the surface, it appears an act of benevolence, a gesture of concern for the overburdened citizen. But one cannot help but raise a brow at the timing. The waiving of tolls coincides with next year’s elections, a fact too glaring to ignore. Yet, this is the privilege of incumbency, to extend benefits at such opportune moments that they appear as blessings.

But before we wholeheartedly celebrate the removal of tolls as a win for the average Guyanese, we must pause. Is it truly in the nation’s best interest to remove tolls across these vital arteries of transport? Or is the decision, beyond its obvious electoral allure, setting the stage for deeper problems—traffic congestion, increased security risks, and the erosion of a more sustainable public infrastructure model?

The roads leading to the Demerara Harbour Bridge, as they stand, already swell with traffic. Commuters during peak hours in the mornings and evenings face delays that stretch patience and exhaust time. The introduction of the new Demerara River Bridge—a fixed structure—promises relief, but we are naïve if we think it will alone solve the problem. The volume of vehicular traffic has grown at a pace unmatched by the expansion of infrastructure.

And herein lies the first issue with a blanket waiver of tolls. By removing a financial barrier to crossing the bridge, the government will inadvertently encourage an even greater surge of vehicles. What might seem like a momentary victory for the commuter—no fee at the tollbooth—could evolve into a nightmare of endless queues and longer commutes.

Tolls, when appropriately priced, serve as more than just a revenue generator for maintenance. They act as a deterrent, a brake on overuse. In high-traffic areas, a toll can encourage the use of alternative transportation methods, whether carpooling, public buses, or even biking. Guyana’s public transport system is admittedly far from ideal, but the solution to that problem is not to give every driver unrestricted access to cross the river at will. Rather, an investment in improving public transport could ease the burden on the bridges while keeping traffic manageable.

Let us consider the experience of other countries. In cities like London and Singapore, congestion pricing has been introduced to manage traffic flow. Drivers must pay to enter certain areas at peak hours. The result? Reduced congestion, better air quality, and a more pleasant commuting experience for everyone. These cities have recognized that free access to key transport points encourages overuse. Guyana, at a different stage of development, faces similar challenges on a smaller scale. But the principle holds: unrestricted, untolled access will not lead to a freer-flowing traffic system. Quite the contrary, it risks bringing everything to a grinding halt.

Then there is the question of security, particularly with the Berbice River Bridge. The toll system, cumbersome as it may seem to some, has a secondary benefit: it acts as a checkpoint. When cars must stop to pay, authorities have a moment to observe who is crossing. This might seem minor, but in a country where crime poses real threats, these moments of pause are invaluable. Waiving the toll removes this point of surveillance, making it easier for those with less-than-honest intentions to cross unnoticed. The toll booth, often overlooked, plays a role in public security.

The Berbice River Bridge toll, while unpopular among some, has served as a brake on the volume of traffic entering Region Six. This is not merely an economic question—it’s a security one. As more vehicles flood into the region, the challenges of monitoring and controlling movement increase. Removing tolls would open the floodgates, so to speak, allowing more traffic, more movement, and less oversight. This is not an argument for sealing off regions or restricting mobility, but rather for ensuring that infrastructure decisions are made with an eye toward both convenience, security and safety.

Proponents of the toll waiver will argue that it provides immediate financial relief to the average citizen. There is truth in this. In a country where income inequality is growing and the cost of living continues to rise, even small savings at a tollbooth can make a difference to families. But there are other ways to offer relief.

We must also think long-term. The infrastructure of a nation—its bridges, roads, and public transport systems—requires constant upkeep and expansion. Tolls provide a direct source of funding for these projects. Without them, where will the money come from? The burden will likely fall on taxpayers, many of whom will not use these bridges regularly. Is it fair to ask citizens from across the country to subsidize the travel of those in certain regions? A modest toll, appropriately scaled, ensures that those who use the infrastructure contribute to its maintenance. This is not only fair—it is necessary for sustainable development.

The decision to waive tolls may win votes, but it will not solve the deeper problems facing Guyana’s transport system. Traffic congestion will worsen and security risks will rise.

Instead of embracing short-term populism, the PPPC should consider a more balanced approach. Retain the tolls and improve public transport, including through developing a mass transport system. Otherwise, we will have to continue to build roads, including possibly through peoples’ homes.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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• completion, Demerara River Bridg, electoral, History, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC)

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