Major jump in vehicles, passengers’ use of state ferries last year

Mar 13, 2014 News

Vehicles using the state-run ferry services increased by 44 percent last year with the passenger movement experiencing a 17 percent jump when compared to 2012.
According to Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), General Manager (GM), Marclene Merchant, the increase can be credited to the reliability of the ferries.

One of the Chinese-built ferries in operation at the Parika stelling.

The official in a Ministry of Public Works statement yesterday disclosed that in 2012, passengers, vehicles and cargo totalled 282,784; 40,611 and 113,257 respectively.
However, those figures climbed in 2013 – passengers’ movements were 331,352; vehicles 58,502 and cargo 125,600.
“These numbers represented 17 percent, 44 percent and 10 percent increase respectively,” the Ministry said.
On the financial front, the revenue generated from passengers totalled $89,540,080; vehicles $227,122,020 and cargo $283,304,112 in 2013.
With an aging fleet and the advent of the Berbice River Bridge, the department has been facing significant challenges.
However, two new Chinese ferries added to the Essequibo route – Parika/Supenaam- has helped.
The Ministry did not indicate where they made a loss. A ferry has also been added to the Parika/Bartica route.