Lightning strikes twice

May 21, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor,
They say that lightening doesn’t strike twice in the same place but I beg to differ, read on and you will see why I actually use the phrase of “lightning striking twice”.
Just a few days ago I embarked on a #56 mini bus at the Rosignol Stelling Bus Park. The bus departed with 15 adult passengers inclusive of driver, but this quickly became 17 adult passengers and 3 children under the age of 7; as the driver picked up three more adults and their three children. This bus now carried a total of twenty passengers across the Berbice Bridge to the eastern side en route to New Amsterdam.
What really peeves me is the audacity of these bus drivers who are so unscrupulous; not only do they overload their buses at the discomfort of paying passengers but they charge the same fare of $300; as well as charge about another $100-$200 per child.
On completion of my business in New Amsterdam, I embarked on another #56 mini bus, this time at the New Amsterdam Stelling Bus Park. Would you believe the overloading was replayed all over again with the exception of no children on my return trip?
The bus again departed with 15 passengers, inclusive of driver, and picked up two oversized adult passengers! To add insult to injury I was again the unfortunate person to have my seat made for 3 become a seat for 5 as the guy was obese.
It is obvious that most if not all of these drivers overload their buses. That is the reason why on both of my trips within hours, I was cramped in an overloaded #56 mini bus.
Thus: my reason for using the phrase of ‘lightning striking twice in the same place’.
Here is the best part. Right there on the road leading to the bridge at the Palmyra end was a white police patrol car PKK 884 parked in the bushes with at least three officers and they did not even attempt to stop the bus. I wonder what kind of stakeout were they on. Was it only to catch speeding vehicles? That would have been mission impossible as all the vehicles proceeding in both directions gave each other the light signal everyone is so familiar with. It’s the Morse code of drivers to inform each other cops are nearby.
Also in this particular bus, the front passenger was not wearing his seatbelt, yet the cops never saw that or the fact that the bus was overloaded.
My question as well as suggestion is why doesn’t the Police Force, moreso the Traffic Dept of ‘B’ Division, have ranks stationed at each approach to the bridge where it will be impossible to let off the passengers once the police are sighted? This way the defaulters can be prosecuted.
However, this should not be a short term exercise; conducted for a week or few days, but all year long and if possible all 24hours.
Another question: Isn’t there a law that states that all mini buses operating for hire consist of a conductor? News flash none of these #56 mini buses operates with a conductor!
Is it not time to put an end to all the lawlessness on our roads?
Minister Rohee you are once more the Home Affairs Minister; it’s time to get your act together.
You do not need millions of dollars to put an end to this problem commuters face each time they use the #56 buses or any vehicle that operate for hire. Overloading is a major and daily problem and many times the police are aware of it but turn a blind eye.
May I remind you that “Familiarity breeds contempt?”
In closing, I look forward to the next time I venture either side of the Berbice Bridge that I will see the traffic ranks working to eliminate the lawlessness on our roads.
Juliet Dukhi

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