Transport in Guyana

Road travel is the main form of everyday mobility in Guyana. Major corridors include the Essequibo Coast, West Bank Demerara, East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara, Linden–Soesdyke, New Amsterdam–Moleson Creek, Black Bush Polder, East Bank Berbice and Linden–Rockstone. Community and internal roads may fall under regional or municipal responsibility, so road condition and service availability vary by area. Privately operated minibuses provide most urban and interurban public transport. Hire cars and taxis offer alternatives. Fares depend on the corridor and fare zone, and the applicable fare table must be displayed in the vehicle. Minibus companies need a road service licence and vehicle fitness certification. Safety, non-discrimination and consumer rights are covered by a Code of Conduct. Overcharging or misconduct can be reported to the Guyana Police Force or the Public Utilities Commission. Exact minibus fares should be checked for the specific journey rather than assumed nationally. Cars and motorcycles drive on the left. A driver licence is required, and the Guyana Revenue Authority issues licences. A new licence requires a Guyana Police Force competency letter, identification and a photograph; the fee is G$4,500 and the licence is valid for five years. A vehicle also needs registration and, depending on its use, a road service licence and fitness certification. The Guyana Revenue Authority issues international driving permits. Drivers face higher risks at night and on poorly lit or poorly maintained roads, especially where speeding, reckless driving or minibus overloading occurs. Water transport is a practical everyday connection for many riverain and island communities. Documented services include Georgetown–Vreed-en-Hoop, Parika–Bartica, Parika–Wakenaam–Supenaam and Parika–Leguan. Published departure windows have included approximately 05:30 to 17:30 for Parika services, up to 17:00 for Parika–Bartica and up to 20:00 for Georgetown–Vreed-en-Hoop. Weather, safety conditions and schedule changes can alter these times. The Maritime Administration Department and the Transport and Harbours Department oversee relevant formal services. Private boats and launches are also used in the hinterland and must follow applicable licensing and navigation requirements. The Essequibo River vehicle ferry uses the MoPW FerryPass system. Domestic air travel connects coastal centres with difficult-to-reach hinterland destinations. The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority regulates and licences commercial air transport, including scheduled and non-scheduled services. Companies notify the authority of planned destinations, frequency and fares before beginning service. Booking rules, airport conditions, availability and prices depend on the company and destination. Guyana currently has no regular passenger railway service in the documented national transport coverage. The historic East Coast Railway ended in 1972 and the West Coast Railway ended in 1974; parts of the former railway embankment now function as road corridors. Light rail and integrated mass transit proposals remain under consideration and are not available services. For international travel, coastal road journeys may combine buses and ferries. Domestic aircraft serve hinterland destinations that are difficult to reach by road. Under the Guyana–Brazil International Road Transport Agreement, documented bus services include Lethem–Boa Vista twice daily, Lethem–Manaus once daily and Georgetown–Boa Vista once daily. The bus, company, driver and insurance require the relevant documents, and the driver needs an International Driving Permit. Cycling is mainly informal and locally emerging. Guyana has no documented nationwide protected cycling network, although the 2026 Aubrey Barker Road project includes bicycle lanes, paved shoulders and walkways. Walking is common for local trips, but pedestrian facilities vary by corridor and town. New road projects sometimes add walking and cycling facilities rather than providing uniform coverage nationwide. The Guyana Police Force enforces traffic rules, while the Guyana National Road Safety Council supports education and safety work. Guyana's rules cover left-side traffic, licensing, registration, vehicle fitness, speed, road positioning and bicycle conduct. Ministry of Home Affairs data from 2022 attributed approximately 64% of road-fatality involvement to speeding, with pedestrians accounting for about 40% and motorcyclists about 21% of those affected; these are historical figures, not a current fatality rate. Good visibility, safe speed and roadworthy vehicles reduce practical risk. Road transport remains largely dependent on petroleum and diesel. Between 2019 and 2022, 143 electric vehicles were imported and six public charging stations were tendered. Guyana's 2030 direction includes more affordable and competitive electric and lower-carbon public and private transport. Under applicable Guyana Revenue Authority rules, electric vehicles of all power ratings receive 0% customs duty, excise and VAT, while hybrid vehicles of up to 2,000 cc received a VAT exemption in 2026. Congestion, emissions and crash risk remain the main transport-related environmental impacts.