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Time to travel in de “corkballs”

Jul 16, 2008 Features / Columnists

The Parrot has been following the recent developments regarding the increase in minibus fares. Naturally the bus operators would be resolute in their defence of the hikes. Government’s response is that they have not sanctioned any increase.

The bottom line is that the commuters have to “fork out” additional monies to facilitate their travel and given the upward movement of food prices globally, this translates into further “stress”.

A few squawks ago I alluded to the financial gains minibus operators would enjoy with a $20 increase. Just as a reminder, an additional “Malali” results in $260 per half trip and $520 per complete trip with a minimum of thirteen passengers.

For eight trips per day $4160 is earned and for an average month just using twenty-five days, some $104,000 extra.
As mentioned, this excludes “overloading” and increased fares in excess of $20 by some operators.

I am in no way implying that there should not have been an increase. In my opinion, I feel that some of the increases are unfair and unjustified.

I am fully aware of the “almost doubling” of fuel over the last two years, but reciprocally, the fares for the same period have more than doubled.

Operators do have operating expenses which include regular servicing, tyres, brake pads and other basic items.

Mag rims, music sets, DVD/TV’s, tinting, graffiti-fancy-like decorations and other admirable artwork cannot be factored in as part of the operating expenses. This is a choice the owners have made.

These things in totality can cost up to a million dollars! Should commuters pay for this? No, but in reality they do.

Some minibus drivers earn far more than people with a University degree! Some, if not most, have a fixed amount to give to the owners and the balance in divided, not necessarily equally, between the driver and conductor.

In some cases the driver earns in excess of $4,000 per day! Some earn more than what the owner actually receives.

There are days when they make excuses to the owner that “wuk was bad”, passenger didn’t “run”, had two punctures, police stopped us twice, the vehicle was impounded for three hours, etc.

These excuses mean that the owner would not get the agreed amount or nothing at all, whilst the earnings for the day go to the driver and the conductor. This happens fairly often.

In other words, some owners, if not most, are not benefiting from the imposed increases. Some of those who benefit have inflated their operation costs.

The Parrot is asking the Minibus Association to present its genuine basic operation costs and earnings including operators’ salaries and owners “target”. This would enlighten all and help to prevent unfair criticisms.

They should also address the poor service offered in terms of loud and lewd music, speeding, overcrowding and some operators who are downright disrespectful. Maybe it’s time to have the services matching the fares.

Commuters know that there are “shine” buses and the “corkballs”. Generally the “corkballs” don’t make a big fuss; the “shines” do this. Generally, most travel with the “shines”. Generally, the “shines” demand more. Generally, the “shines” make you uncomfortable.

Maybe it’s time for all in general to ditch the “shines” and board the “corkballs”. You might save a “Malali”.
Squawk! Squawk!

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