-but still disgruntled
East Coast drivers who called a strike on Tuesday in protest at new minibus routes being enforced by the Guyana Police Force have agreed to resume work but many are still grumbling over the changes.
The drivers are still prohibited from entering the Bourda market area but they can now travel along Robb Street up to Camp Street and proceed north into Lamaha Street- a new development that many are not satisfied with. This new change is not in writing so drivers are referring to it as merely a promise being made by the traffic department. According to one driver, they only decided to resume work after meeting with Opposition officials at Congress Place yesterday.
Driver Balwant Singh told Stabroek News that East Coast drivers who are frustrated with the new route continued their protest early yesterday morning picketing outside of the Mon Repos market. He said a small police presence was visible at the time but there were no clashes.
A small delegation of drivers then left to meet with the Traffic Chief but was told that he was out at the time. The group then made the rounds around the city stopping at Freedom House, then Office of the President before proceeding to Congress Place.
According to Singh, officials at Congress Place agreed that all East Coast drivers should have been consulted prior to the new rules and that it can only now be viewed as unfair. He said the officials have promised to raise the issue at a parliamentary meeting planned for today. Singh said they decided to resume work after the PNCR officials suggested it.
“We ain’t really happy but they asked us to so we will but the strike might continue next week if things ain’t change”, he added.
The East Coast minibus strike which stretches from the lower East Coast to Mahaica has not severely impacted on commuters since many drivers are still working. But on Tuesday over 100 drivers pulled their vehicles off the road protesting the change in routes. Of particular concern to drivers was the ban from entering Bourda market and the public hospital area.
The drivers are accusing the force of trying to take bread from them since the market and the hospital are vital routes. But the Traffic Chief, Neil Semple when contacted on the issue told Stabroek News that the police will not bend with respect to the changes.
He said the East Coast drivers are overreacting because the new rules are fair and suitable for everyone including city drivers plying the hospital route. According to Semple, the East Coast drivers have long been imposing on the Thomas Street route but this will not continue.
