President Ali says gov’t to engage Berbice drivers on refusal to lower fares

Nov 22, 2025 News

No spike in spare parts!

By Shermon Hawker

Kaieteur News – Shutting down claims by hire car drivers traversing the Berbice to Georgetown route over their reasons for maintaining high transportation fares, President Irfaan Ali confirmed Friday that there has been no significant increase in spare parts in Guyana.

Despite government’s removal of tolls from the Berbice River Bridge, many persons traveling between Region Six and Georgetown are still made to pay the $2500 to $3000 fare set by hire car drivers.

Commuters have been forced into acceding to what many described as “unreasonable” on the part of the hire car operators, who have maintained a collective stance, justifying their position on the grounds that they have to maintain their vehicles and source parts.

Asked by Kaieteur News if the government will address these growing concerns by commuters, President Irfaan Ali during a press conference, assured that the government will take up the issue. He stated that the relevant agencies are in dialogue with car and bus drivers on rates all across the country. The president, responding to the question, held that the cost of spare parts has not spiked.

“I’m happy that you have raised this matter, and as you rightly positioned, we’ve removed all the taxes on fuel. We have done a survey basically, and when you look at spares parts, there has been no exponential increase in (the cost of) spare parts,” the president stated at the media engagement in Region Six.

He provided several factors that would directly ease the need for frequent vehicle repairs, along with the investments made by the government to enhance the roads.

“Our investments in our roadways are also reducing wear and tear on vehicles.”

This, he explained, contributes to a reduced cost of operation.

On August 1, the Berbice River Bridge, the Demerara Harbor Bridge and all other cost-incurring crossings became toll-free when the government officially removed fares for vehicles and vessels operating those facilities.

The widespread criticisms against the somewhat adamant drivers came against the backdrop that only one side is benefiting from the toll removal. Prior to the bridge becoming toll-free, drivers had jacked up the price per passenger from $1500 to $2000, using the then $1900 bridge crossing fee as the reason. Commuters have reasoned that with the bridge fare no longer in place, drivers should at least, extend a reduction in the traveling cost.

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President Ali says gov’t to engage Berbice drivers on refusal to lower fares

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