The start up of a twice weekly bus service between Georgetown and Lethem, is one of several ventures being affected by the recent unrest in Linden.
Intraserv Inc. operated by the Correia Group of Companies, was scheduled to have its maiden trip last Friday morning but has had to reschedule it to a date when the situation in the mining town gets back to normal.
According to Abdoul Wahab Ba, Sales and Marketing Manager of Evergreen Adventures Inc., which is a sales agent for Intraserv, the planned inaugural trip had to be stopped owing to the situation in Linden.
Protestors angry over the unstable power and water supply in the mining town have since Friday been denying passage across the vital Mackenzie-Wismar bridge over which the bus would need to pass on its route to the interior.
Their actions have not only restricted movement of this bus service but that of other operators with vital interests in the hinterland.
Many companies, including the gold mining operations of OMAI and the operators of the Kurupukari Ferry Service, Meckdeci Mining Company, have begun to see their fuel stocks run low.
Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, Ba said the company had invested huge amounts in putting logistics in place including the hiring of drivers and making modifications to the buses to adapt to local traffic codes.
The delay, according to Ba, has also affected several persons who had booked to travel to the border community some of whom have had to go by plane.
He said persons were still calling to find out about the service. It was his hope that the present impasse would be shortly over so that the service could make the best use of the current dry season.
CEO of the Correia Group of Companies, Chris Correia told Stabroek News that the service is to be run twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays from its 159 Charlotte Street sales office and Sundays and Wednesdays from Lethem.
The fare of $5,000 one way was set to meet the pocket of the average traveller and to encourage them to want to see more of their country.
The 40-seater bus with recliner seats was chosen to undertake the approximately 12-hour journey along a continually improving roadway.
As part of the deal Intraserv has developed a working relationship with a Brazilian bus company which would take passengers on their onward journey across Brazil.
Long term plans are to link the current service so passengers could go on to French Guiana.
The buses which were acquired in Brazil are equipped with a Mercedes engine and a chassis designed for rough terrain.