(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – The Ministry of Transport (TCT) has stricter rules in the pipeline for public transport. Buses on the PL and Line 7 route are the first group to undergo new registration rules. One of the new rules is raising the required age for driving a bus to 25 years with at least two years of experience. The rules also call for a dress code and forbid loud music in public transport.
John Mahadewsing, chair of the Private Bus Owners Association (PLO) is happy with the new rules. The PLO chair is strongly against bus drivers clad in just short pants, flip-flops and no shirt. He argues that drivers are part of a business enterprise. ‘When you’re a driver, you are an entrepreneur. I sincerely hope that the new rules will bring about some positive changes in their way of driving.’
Mahadewsing says that mainly young drivers often act reckless. Several bus drivers back the new rules but argue for transferring of licenses. Edmund Dundas, bus owner on the PL and Line 9 route says that the transfers are simply administrative; the bus owners have to submit their licenses at the Ministry, which will transfer them to the new owners.
Bus owners fear that once they hand in their license it will not be returned. Dundas also notes that some bus drivers are sloppily dressed. ‘Lack of manners has to do with age. Most young drivers do not seem to comprehend the importance of rules. They are the ones who drive on moped lanes.’ Vikash (28) denies that age is of influence on being a driver. It all depends on behavior. He considers two years of experience way too many and wonders where drivers will get that experience. Another bus driver thinks that the experience rule is just and that drivers should not be too young.
