Minister Edghill – Financial accountability, less commute time expected with automated DHB toll system

Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill said that financial accountability and less commute time are some of the benefits of the modern automated tolling system which was officially commissioned on Friday. Edghill expressed this view as he hailed the new system. “I’m happy to join this occasion to publicly launch this new initiative which is aimed at doing three things. Number one, making commute across the bridge easier, number two, improving financial accountability and number three, bringing us into modernisation, where people don’t always have to be searching their pockets and bags for money to pay,” the minister stressed.

Minister Edghill noted that the move to implement the automated tolling system was birthed after a tug hit the bridge and caused traffic to stall. Edghill explained that at the time, a decision was taken to allow vehicles to pass without paying, so that it would not interrupt the flow of traffic. Edghill revealed that in less than one hour, traffic that was backed up for miles cleared the bridge.

Minister Edghill pointed out that the New Demerara Bridge will also feature a similar system when it materialises. However, the hope, he said, is to have it on the western side of the bridge as opposed to the eastern side, as it is situated currently. “Let’s get Guyanese used to this technology, let’s get Guyanese used to this way of doing business. A new Demerara Harbour Bridge will be in place before the end of 2025, the contract will be signed shortly and construction will begin thereafter. We expect that it will be completed within two years from the start of construction,” he disclosed.

The public works minister revealed that the automated system uses a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) strip which is picked up by scanners installed above the toll booth. He said that the system is supported by GTT’s Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) to facilitate use of the system by way of purchasing credit as payment. General Manager of GTT’s Mobile Money, Bobita Ram stressed that the new system is simple and urges commuters to take advantage of it.

“We encourage all commuters to register for the RFID tag which is placed on the vehicle’s windscreen. Use MMG whether it is from your own MMG account or one of our agent locations to put money on your Demerara Harbour Bridge Account, and then you just breeze through, basically in a matter of seconds,” Ram explained.

It was noted that the new system is expected to make commuting easier for the over 25,000 vehicles that use the bridge daily.