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Route 45 bus operators plan to lead by example
– appeal for end to refuse dumping in park
The United Minibus Union (UMBU), comprising mainly of operators of Route 45 minibuses, have their work cut out to maintain order in and around the environment of the bus park outside the Stabroek Market.
Faced with unruly operators who seemingly operate above the law, and inconsiderate vendors who dump their waste in proximity to the bus park, the union is calling on the Guyana Police Force to assist them in restoring some sort of order.
This garbage was dumped in the area by unscrupulous vendors
On Sunday, the union, led by its president Eon Andrews, embarked on a painting and clean up exercise at the Route 45 minibus park.
But even as they were doing so, some unscrupulous vendors threw good sense out of the window and virtually desecrated the area with waste including rotting vegetables and fish, which left the surroundings with a pungent smell, much to the annoyance of commuters who have to sit in the vehicles and endure the stench until their transportation is ready to depart.
Some operators told this newspaper that this is an everyday occurrence and despite the efforts of the union, in conjunction with the Ministries of Works and Local Government along with the Mayor and City Council, the situation is becoming unbearable.
According to Andrews, president of the UMBU, which represents 57of the 75 buses operating the route, while the ministries have pledged support to the initiatives taken, there is still the need for a cultural change if Georgetown is to retain the lofty status it once boasted.
“Because of the perceived culture of minibus operators in Guyana we have decided to organize ourselves to better serve the public,” Andrews told this newspaper.
He said that the union has had discussions with the Ministries of Local Government and Works and was able to secure a pledge for the provisions of garbage bins which could alleviate some of the problems.
The minibus operators claimed that everyday they would leave the park in a reasonable state of cleanliness only to return the following morning to find piles of garbage and sometimes even human waste.
They blame the vendors who operate outside the Stabroek Market at nights for the mess.
“We have to pay people everyday to clean up because you can’t have passengers sitting in a bus and enduring that smell,” one bus operator lamented.
Members of the United Minibus Union paint a section of the Stabroek Bus Park with the aim of restoring some order.
Another source of concern is the uncaring behaviour of some bus operators who operate outside the ambit of the UMBU.
These individuals, instead of joining the queue to maintain order, could be seen blocking the traffic in their haste to secure a quick load.
One such operator openly boasted that they have to work like that to ‘pay the police’.
According to Andrews, the situation is so devoid of order that a decision was taken to change the perceived status quo of minibus operation.
“The ministry has pledged to provide wardens to maintain order. They gave us white paint while we provided the yellow to enhance the park,” he explained.
In addition, local communications giant, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, has donated several jerseys which will be worn by the operators for identification purposes.
Another company has pledged to donate a billboard at the route 45 bus park.
The UMBU is appealing to the Police Traffic Department to maintain a presence in and around the area to ensure that order is restored.
They are also appealing to the vendors to let good sense prevail and stop the dumping of waste near to the park.
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