Guyanese could begin to enjoy the long anticipated reduction in tolls to cross the Berbice River Bridge as soon as December 1, 2015 once the ongoing negotiations conclude as the APNU+AFC government anticipates.

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson is optimistic that the government could reach an agreement with the bridge company that will pave the way for reductions to take effect from December 1.

Updating the media on the negotiations on Monday, Patterson said a draft agreement is to be dispatched to the bridge company to be reviewed, finalized and signed.

He said the $36 million which was approved in the 2015 budget is still available to be given as a subsidy to the bridge for the reduction that is likely to come.

Government wants the tolls for buses and cars to be reduced from $2200 to $1900, representing a 13.6% reduction while the tolls for all other vehicles will be reduced by 10%.

The Bridge company had refused to accept the proposal of a government subvention in return for lowering the fares.

However, BCCI later submitted a proposal to the Government, indicating that it may be willing, now that discussions were held with its shareholders and trustees, to accept the multimillion dollar annual subvention for the proposed reduction in tolls.

The commitment to ensure reduced tolls by the APNU+AFC administration was an election promise made to the residents of Region #5 and #6.

The stalemate later forced the government to introduce a water taxi service across the Berbice River. Addressing the water taxi service, Patterson said the government may keep it in place to continue to provide service to school children and the elderly.

He said the hours of service will have to be revisited but it is an initiative that the government wants to keep in place. Since its commencement two months ago, over 51,000 persons have utilized the service, the bulk of an average 40,000 being regular commuters, Patterson said.

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