Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
Relocation of minibus parks sparks chaos in Stabroek Square
Differences between the City Council and the Ministry of Public Works yesterday sparked a wave of confusion in the city as the transition phase of relocating the Routes 48, 40, 24 and 41 minibuses proved to be quite bumpy, halting public transportation for several hours while the quirks were addressed.
In an emergency meeting held yesterday at City Hall, Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn told City Mayor Hamilton Green that he was unaware of the move by the city to have the parking lot operate under a contractual system, hence the decision by his Ministry to use the space to create new minibus parks for the buses.
According to Green, ever since 1996 the parking lot had been operating on a fee system to supplement the city’s revenue.
As such, on Sunday, when route 40 and 48 buses were assigned that location and attempted to access it, a fee was requested but they refused to pay and decided to remain outside Demico House on Croal Street, west of Avenue of the Republic.
This, in turn, affected the route 41 (Stabroek to South Ruimveldt) minibuses, which were supposed to occupy the location where the routes 40 and 48 buses insisted on staying until the quirks with the new bus park were worked out. Today, the car park previously used by the city will be free of all private vehicles and will be turned over exclusively to minibuses. The routes 40, 48 and 45 buses will be parking there.
Hundreds of commuters plying the Stabroek/South Ruimveldt route were left stranded for several hours, given that the location that the 42 buses occupied has been branded a no-parking zone, leaving them with no specific location to load commuters.
Many of the bus drivers and conductors also lashed out at the relevant authorities, noting that they were only made aware of the movement of parks on Sunday.
President of the Guyana Public Transportation Association, Nicholas Nnami, also criticised the relevant authorities, stating that routes 40, and 48 buses will not comply until adequate measures are put in place for this move and the buses are given enough time to relocate.
“If the authorities put measures in place, then we will comply.”
By mid-afternoon yesterday, some degree of order had returned to the Stabroek Market bus parks.
Commuters complained bitterly that the announcement was not made public for at least a week, so that minibus operators and commuters alike could have adjusted to the changes.
A Police press release issued on Saturday last had listed the new locations: buses plying Zone 40 (Kitty/C’Ville), Zone 45 (Main Street/ Lamaha/GPHC), and Zone 48 (Sophia) will park on the western side of Stabroek Market Square between Croal Street and Brickdam in the park previously operated on a fee system by the City Council.
Buses plying Zone 41 (Guyhoc/South) and Zone 46 (Lodge) will park on the southern side of Croal Street, between Avenue of the Republic and Cornhill Street.
Buses plying Zone 44 (UG/Industry) will park on the southern side of Regent Street, between Avenue of the Republic and Hinck Street, and on East Street between New Market and Middle Streets, where a new bus park has been established.
However, this newly established park remained unused by minibuses up to press time last evening.
Those who operate the Zone 47 (East/West Ruimveldt) will be parked on the western side of Longden Street, between America Street and Croal Street, and on the southern side of America Street, between Avenue of the Republic and Longden Street.
The Zone 63 (Georgetown /Moleson Creek) buses will now park on the northern side of Commerce Street between Avenue of the Republic and Hinck Street, while buses plying Zone 50 (Georgetown /Rosignol) will be parked on the southern side of South Street, between Avenue of the Republic and Hinck Street.
Under the new arrangement, buses plying Zone 44 (Georgetown/Mahaica) will now park on the southern side of South Street, between Water and Hinck Streets, and on the northern side of Commerce Street, between Water Street and Longden Street.
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