Benefits of the proposed East Bank–East Coast railway

Dear Editor,

Recently, there was an announcement by the President of Guyana, that there will be the establishment of a railway system connecting the East Bank to the East Coast of Demerara. This is a welcomed initiative, in that, it is a major infrastructural development that will transform the transportation system in this country, placing Guyana in that elite group of developing countries.

Now, rail transport has enormous benefits, of which I shall explain:

1. First on our list of benefits, is the fact that railroad transportation eases the traffic congestion on our roads in a significant way.
2. It is a cost-effective means of transport; it is the most cost-effective form of transport, it has a lower fuel consumption than road vehicular traffic.
3. Rail transport is reliable, trains operate on fixed schedules and dedicated tracks, making them less susceptible to traffic jams and weather conditions, compared to road transport.
4. Transport by rail facilitates the movement of bulk transport which transport by road cannot. Rail transportation moves volumes of cargo over long distances, it has the ability to move massive goods in a single journey.
5. It is the train and the rails, no competition from other vehicular traffic. Railroad travel offers a relaxing and more comfortable means of transportation for the general public.
6. Rail transport will, and I repeat, will cut down, if not eliminate the wanton vehicular accidents in our transport system; rail travel is more safer than road transport.

To the naysayers who have already labelled this venture as being unsuccessful, should weigh in on the enormous benefits that will redound to the benefit of all, that is, to the government and people of Guyana. Our country is on an upward trajectory and one of the ways that progress is enhanced is by a modern and efficient railway system. My suggestion to the relevant authorities, is to extend that railroad system to all regions of our country.