Monopoly breeds contempt

Dear Editor,

Minibus drivers and conductors provide an invaluable service to Guyanese. In a land where public transport, via land, is non-existent these hardworking men and women transport the nation’s citizens to their various places of business.  Some conductors assist senior citizens and even let them ride for free. They allow children to go free when upon reaching their destination they pretend to be searching for money they knew they never had.  Late at night these operators try to accommodate that one stranded person at the park because they know the next bus is not due for an hour, if there is a next one. I am sure most of us have been in that situation and were very thankful. These entrepreneurs and business persons also contribute a great deal to the economy. We owe these drivers, especially the ‘old time’ bus drivers a great debt of gratitude.

However, like a sore left to fester on its own, the situation has gotten quite distasteful – from the crude manner in which conductors solicit passengers to the unruly way drivers use the road. There is the stopping anywhere, cutting in front of vehicles, jumping the line, extremely loud music, excessive use of those annoying horns, causing road accidents and killing so many of our innocent citizens. The majority of fatal smash ups involve a minibus or taxi. The worst part of this ugly situation is that there seems to be no learning or remorse from this fraternity. They continue to use the road with a ‘we run things’ attitude. When will the madness end? What are the Minibus Associationa doing about the state of affairs on the road? Clearly, as can be seen, nothing is being done or if something has been done, it surely ain’t working.

The funny thing is that we see the stakeholders making noise in the media, striking, protesting, calling out government officials and running down passengers for a $20 increase. They owe the Guyanese public a great debt for all their transgressions.

I think the relevant authorities need to come in and clean up the mess. I think Joe and Jane Public need to take a greater stand, even though we are between a rock and hard place. I think the operators need to clean up their ways. It is hard for the public to empathize when they behave the way they do. Kudos to the government for rescuing citizens held for ransom at the park. It should be more permanent and maybe then they will clean up like GT&T did after the advent of Digicel. I guess monopoly breeds contempt.

Yours faithfully,
Monty Chester