A staggering 8.5 million passenger trips were recorded in 2024 on the water-taxi route between Vreed-en-Hoop (Region 3) and Georgetown (Region 4)., President Irfaan Ali revealed this week. The figure – nearly nine million people shuttling across the Demerara River last year – underscores the critical importance of this ferry service for commuters. In light of the heavy usage, President Ali has announced an aggressive plan to improve and modernize the river crossing infrastructure to better serve the public and operators.
During a visit to the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling on April 30, the President addressed complaints from speedboat operators about unsafe, congested conditions at the ferry terminals. He immediately ordered “immediate” dredging of the Vreed-en-Hoop and Georgetown (Stabroek) channels to remove silt buildup that has been hampering boat movement at low tides. This emergency dredging, along with clearing of submerged logs and debris, began within hours on the President’s instructions. Ali noted that many boats have suffered damaged propellers due to shallow channels – an issue long unresolved. “Given that over 8.5 million people traverse this route annually, these upgrades are not just necessary — they are absolutely justifiable,” he affirmed.
Beyond dredging, a suite of upgrades will be rolled out at the ferry stellings (docks) on both sides of the river. The Georgetown landing will be extended to ease crowding when boats load and unload Surveillance cameras and better lighting will be installed to boost security for passengers. New pedestrian walkways are being built to streamline the flow of the thousands of commuters who use the service daily. Additionally, more marine officers will be deployed during peak hours to manage traffic and enforce safety rules.These measures came after dialogue with the boat operators, who have since lauded the government’s responsiveness.
President Ali’s intervention also addressed the welfare of operators. He acknowledged their livelihood was being affected by constant disruptions (groundings at low tide, long wait times) and assured them the government is committed to a long-term fix. The Transport & Harbours Department has been tasked with maintaining the channels regularly once dredged – a practice that was previously irregular. The President’s hands-on approach – even visiting the silt-clogged channel himself – has drawn praise. Commuters, too, welcomed the news. Many recall the days of unreliable river transport and see the upgrades as overdue.
With Guyana’s economy growing, daily travel between the capital and West Demerara is only expected to increase. The 8.5 million ferry ridership statistic, which President Ali shared to drive home his point, may well be eclipsed in 2025. Government officials note this justifies even bigger projects like the new Demerara Harbour Bridge under construction. In the meantime, the immediate improvements to the water-taxi system aim to ensure a safer, smoother journey for the tens of thousands who cross the Demerara River each day.
