Plans for Guyana/ Brazil road transport move ahead

Guyana and Brazil have begun moving toward the implementation of the International Road Transport Agreement (IRTA), which will regulate the movement of passengers and cargo between the two countries.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Home Affairs hosted a webinar, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil and the Embassy of Brazil in Georgetown, to provide stakeholders with critical guidance on the processes and requirements to operate under the new agreement.

The session outlined step-by-step procedures for obtaining licences, appointing legal representatives, and complying with customs and security protocols.

Stakeholders seeking to transport passengers or goods along the international route must first apply to the Ministry of Home Affairs to be registered as a transport operator. This is according to the ministry’s research officer, Gavin Lewis.

Applicants are required to submit the IRTA Form 1; company and owner Tax Identification Numbers (TIN); vehicle registration, road licence, and certificate of fitness; international third-party insurance; company registration and details of a legal representative.

Once submitted, applications undergo a thorough review. Documents are verified by the Guyana Revenue Authority, after which a security check is conducted. Upon clearance, the Ministry issues an original licence, granting the company legal permission to operate in Guyana. Only licensed vehicles will be authorised for the international route.

Lewis explained that the original licence is valid for one year only, and is non-transferable. Companies must apply for complementary licences from the National Transport Agency within 120 days of receiving the original permission.

False or misleading information in applications will result in immediate denial or cancellation of licences.

While the requirements for passenger and cargo transport are largely similar, additional details are required for cargo operators, including; service details such as scheduled routes; vehicle specifications and the type and quantity of goods expected to be transported.

All vehicles must comply with the regulations of both Guyana and Brazil. Carriers are also required to submit advance customs declarations specifying the cargo.

Lewis confirmed that several applications have already been received from Brazilian operators in both passenger and cargo services.

Under the IRTA, three fixed International Bus Service Routes for passenger transportation between Brazil and Guyana have been established:

The three routes are Lethem, Guyana to Boa Vista, Brazil (return), which will operate twice daily; Lethem, Guyana to Manaus, Brazil (return), which will operate once daily; and Georgetown, Guyana to Boa Vista, Brazil (return), which will operate once daily.

In addition to their Guyanese driver’s licence, drivers of the buses must possess an International Driving Permit as issued by the Licence Revenue Office, Guyana Revenue Authority.

The fare structure will be determined by the Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and the Transporting Firms.

Meanwhile, cargo drivers are not required to have special certification unless they are transporting hazardous materials, such as gasoline.

Brazil will accept insurance issued in Guyana, provided that the policy covers both Guyana and Brazil.

The security requirements for cargo will depend on the nature of the cargo and will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the relevant authority.