Dear Editor,
It is unreasonable for minibus operators to strike since the price of fuel has not reached the $1000 par that the government stipulates. Listening to a news update on Tuesday covering the strike action at Lusignan, it is unreasonable to hear the appeal of drivers for an increase of more than $40 per passenger and for $100 dollars for those passengers travelling further. If one does the maths, a Georgetown to Mahaica route bus with 14 passengers at $200 would amount to $2,800 one way. This figure will give you $5,600 both ways, and some minibuses make 4 to 5 of these two-way trips amounting to over $22,000. I am certain that less than $2000 worth of fuel is being spent on a two-way trip. Some operators also overload their buses to the extent that they carry four extra passengers. The call for such an increase is more than alarming.
Most of the time in Guyana when new laws are created for motor vehicles, drivers and conductors breach them. There is no proper dress code; some drivers operate without a licence and boast that they can get one for five hundred dollars; they speed; some drink and drive and also use drugs; the conductors are disrespectful to elders and the disabled as well as to women and schoolchildren; drivers drive without exercising the 5 C’s; they bribe their way out of charges for overloading; and they use foul language.
The administration needs to take some control of public transport by acting swiftly and implementing a regulated system. They should set a dress code for operators, and provide school buses that are properly managed. They could purchase several 30-seaters and let them work for their maintenance. Look what sister countries in Caricom are doing with their transport system.
They should ban music in public transportation since this has so far created a new culture for young people who are spiralling out of control. There should be no speakers, and as for drivers who complain of sleeping because of no music – rubbish! Let them not operate public transport. Imagine, there is no respect for people when you have music emanating from speakers degrading women, etc.
If you enter a minibus in a religious frame of mind, you are faced with listening to music with inappropriate words, while young children are also victims of these lyrics. Owners usually hide these devices in their A/C units, side panels and under their seats, which is noticeable, since those seats are higher and have a board at the bottom.
There should also be a bin in every minibus. Buses need to be inspected by a separate body which includes the insurance providers, since many operators obtain their vehicle fitness by bribery when they do not pass. Imagine, some buses have no proper ventilation (not enough sliding windows), or have tints, or music under the seat which makes passengers uncomfortable because the seats are too high, etc, or poor tyres, defective brakes, overheating, or a shabby dashboard, etc.
The parking at the bus parks should be improved. There are many illegal vendors that scout in the bus parks and hinder movement in and out. Many people can be seen imbibing alcohol near these parks and sometimes they get very disrespectful to women who enter the park. Also vendors occupy parking space with their vehicles causing congestion. There should be lighting at parks, especially at night, as well as security.
I am hoping that the relevant authorities will have good judgment and a possible solution. I am willing to pay $20 dollars more on my fare since that will represent $20 times x 14 passengers, which comes to $280 and can compensate for the increase in the fuel price.
Yours faithfully
Devi Prashad
