THE vehicle density in Georgetown and traffic flow on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) is growing faster than our ability to build roads and bridges or provide parking facilities. At any given daylight hour in downtown Georgetown, the traffic congestion, together with the number of parked vehicles, seems like we have a city with one of the highest density of vehicles in the world. I have not done the studies, but judging merely from my own experience travelling to every continent on the planet, going only by the sheer feel of it, Georgetown has to be up there with the highest vehicle density.
I recognise the government’s efforts at making acquisition of vehicles for families and small businesses more accessible by changing the tax policies. This is consistent with a growing economy, especially with a public transportation system that remains at the mercies of the informal economy aided by a lax and poorly regulated system. So, government policy to make small private vehicles more accessible is actually commonsense. The spillover of that is being felt in the streets of Georgetown more than anywhere else in the country.
A small suggestion to aid people with improved access to family transport and assist with the ECD, Georgetown and EBD traffic is to regionalise number plates. For example, you get a certain discount of taxes on importation of vehicles if they are intended to be used outside Region Four. This envisages two types of registration, a national registration where at full taxes and licensed to drive anywhere in Guyana, including the Capital City. Then another category that pays, let’s say, 60 per cent of taxes, but must be confined to places outside a certain boundary in Region Four. Applicable to small family or business vehicles designated for Mahdia, Lethem, Kwakwani, Crabwood Creek or Essequibo Coast, and intended to be kept and used in those locations and not venture past Kuru Kururu from the north, Vreed-en-Hoop from the west, and Victoria from the east. Getting into the city will force people to car-pool or use public transportation, which, under this plan, will be greatly improved.
The city also begs for multi-story car parking solutions. I have two suggestions: Condemn and remove that old building on Camp Street, opposite GRA, that houses the Valuation Division. Build a modern multi-story parking facility. The second can be in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market area, and should take in the old GNCB building, the former Fire Service headquarters, possibly the building that currently houses some offices of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and ‘Donkey City’. That edifice will tie in nicely with the planned redevelopment of the entire Stabroek Market area and riverfront.
I also recognise that the government is making an effort to move some essential government services outside the centre of the city. For example, the Ministry of Housing to Houston, a multi-building, high- rise government complex in then Eccles-Haggs Bosch area, along with a number of hospitals with a range of services comparable to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), a number of major international hotels, a children specialty hospital and several other things that are expected to make certain trips to the city unnecessary.
The public transportation system needs urgent fixing; this will require deep forethought and commitment. No half measures can fix our public transportation; any intervention must be comprehensive. I would like to advocate for a dedicated road transport, safety and traffic management agency.
The current system was designed in the 1930s, with minor reforms in the 1970s when there were only three dozen cars in Georgetown. Since then, we’ve only built on the same administrative structure which I believe has outlived its usefulness to be an effective and holistic transportation administration. The system worked well for the simple ancient structure it was intended to serve, and that structure is not simple anymore. Currently, four or five agencies handle vehicle and transportation administration.
Why is the GRA, our premiere revenue collection and tax management agency, still made to be issuing provisional and permanent driver’s licences, managing motor vehicle colour, engine modification, ownership management, road service licence and issuing of number plates. The Guyana Police Force is responsible for managing driver’s tests, vehicle fitness, enforce traffic laws, implement and monitor a growing number of traffic technologies and more recently tint certification. The Ministry of Commerce is responsible for authorising public transportation routes and fares. The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for vehicle security accessories such as special tint and bullet proofing. Then the Ministry of Public Works is responsible for traffic flow studies, designation of public parking areas and curbside management. The City Council also has some responsibilities for vehicle and transportation administration.
Since the 1970s, the Guyana Police Force has only processed application for vehicle fitness from 08:30hrs to 10:00hrs each day. In 1975, a typical certifying officer had to process no more than a peak of about 2 fitness certificates per day. The very arrangement from 1975 is still in operation today in 2026. Can you imagine that you cannot make an application for fitness certificate at 10:30hrs in the morning?
In closing, let me take the time to appeal to the Traffic Chief, and by extension, the Commissioner of Police together with the Commissioner-General of theGRA and possibly the Attorney-General to please adjust the requirement for motor vehicles to be adapted for the purpose of carrying goods. On account of safety, the requirement to panel the back glass with metal should be stopped. These small vans are designed to use a cabin rearview mirror, unlike trucks and some of the bigger minibuses with wide side mirrors set in a fashion to triangulate rear traffic and reduce blind spots. The small buses and vans are not so equipped, and depend on the cabin rearview mirror for enhanced safety. By all means, panel the sides, but a panel to the back compromises safety. I entreat those entrusted with the responsibility to end this practice right away.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.