PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali’s recent announcement at the Enmore Martyrs event about the possibility of using trains to alleviate traffic problems has thrilled residents of the East Coast of Demerara, East Bank Demerara, Berbice (Region Six), and Linden (Region 10).
The Head of State, making the announcement at the recent event commemorating the Enmore Martyrs at Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD), said there will be “drastic” transformation with the construction of the new four-lane highway.
Dr. Ali also pointed out that Enmore and other East Coast communities will become industrial and commercial hubs.
These efforts are already underway but the President said the PPP/C is already thinking about long-term development of the country.
In light of the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara traffic difficulties, President Ali said there have been requests for the government to investigate the viability of a railway. He also gave hints that his administration might be open to investigating the use of trains.
“In the next term of office for the People’s Progressive Party, we will look at the viability of having a train along the East Coast and East Bank corridors, where the bulk of the population already lives,” Dr. Ali said.
Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Chowbay (only name given), a resident from the East Coast of Demerara, said, “I believe that this is one of the best decisions by the President and his government to bring back the trains in Guyana. I also understand that we all have to survive, and these bus operators are trying to earn a living as well, but every day we are seeing fatal accidents that involve public transportation most of the time. I am because of work, and the congestion with the traffic to get from the East Coast to the East Bank or vice versa is stressful. While we welcome the new highways and a developing economy, we also have to remember that private owners are also investing in more than one vehicle per home. But I also believe that people will choose to park their vehicles and take the train to their destinations.”
He continued: “Whether it’s the schoolchildren or the adults, people’s minds will feel more at ease knowing that they are in a safer, more comfortable, and reliable mode of transportation. We have also considered that with fewer vehicles on the roadways, it will reduce the fumes, the traffic congestion, and most naturally, the pollution. And let us not forget that it will help both the locals and the tourism industry to have a different view and appreciation for the scenery in Guyana.”
Chowbay also believes that this initiative should be considered for the Linden to Lethem route, since it will be safer, cheaper, and less time-consuming for all.
He also noted that it will be an advantage for people to transport their goods and for all Guyanese to have the opportunity to visit and do business at Lethem.
Guyanese Artist Romeo Mystic explained he was “very happy” when he saw the news of what the President had announced.
According to him, “I am living in Region Six, but I travel to Georgetown very often because of my work. I know this will help Berbicians and all those who have to deal with the traffic situation every day. I see workers and schoolchildren on the roadside every morning just trying to get to their destinations, and even though it is against the law to overload the buses, the people don’t have a choice sometimes.”
Further, Mystic said “I believe that we need to move away from the hassle of the public transportation system that we have and being stuck in traffic for all hours sometimes. We have to also look at safety and what is better for the country. Listen, we cannot please everyone; not all Guyanese will agree with this move, but the President obviously sees that this will take away a lot of the traffic issues and keep the people safer, and I support it. It’s about time we do consider changing the way we travel publicly.”
Roxanne (only name given), a resident of Linden (Region 10), related that she is a mother of three children, one of whom attends school in Georgetown.
The mother of three said, “Let me tell you, all this every day is a problem with my child getting to school. Every morning is a complaint, with school and bus problems. The traffic is a headache to deal with. I see we are getting nice roads, and we appreciate that, but there are more vehicles and more accidents too, so when President Ali said he was thinking of bringing back the trains, I said thank God. We need it for traffic and safety, so yes, I welcome it.”
Finally, Stephan Harrinauth said, “I felt happy when I heard the news, my family in New York uses [sic] the trains, and they don’t complain about traffic. They know that they have to get up early to reach the station at a certain time. Even if some of them take a bus to the terminal, it’s a big bus, and they have rules that they have to follow there. So, we will definitely have less traffic and less [sic] problems on the road with buses and private vehicles. This is the best move to help with the traffic situation in Guyana, especially in Georgetown and the populated areas like [sic] the East Coast and East Bank.”
