Latest update January 3rd, 2025 4:30 AM
Latest News
- Mohameds drops lawsuit after Sgt. Bascom apologises over murder accusations
- More than 70 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza
- Berbice man drowns at Lake during New Year’s Day outing.
- Motorcycle bandits crash into Hilux to rob driver
- Jagdeo defends 4% interest on US EXIM Bank loan for Gas-to-Energy project
“Free big bus” system angers private operators
The recent implementation of the “free big bus transportation system” by the Ministry of Public Works at the Stabroek Bus Park has angered some minibus drivers who operate in that district daily.
Minibus drivers of the Route 44 (Georgetown/Mahaica) Bus Park are expressing disappointment with government’s free transportation system.
While the move by the Public Works Ministry now threatens the livelihood of some hard working drivers who depend on the transportation system to sustain their families, the Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, said that the action was enforced due to minibus operators withdrawing their services, in an effort to force passengers to pay higher bus fares than the stipulated amounts.
Benn noted that his Ministry will continue the free transportation exercise in an effort to force minibus operators to the bargaining table, and stop them from exploiting passengers.
The big bus transportation service is also expected to reduce the crowds of passengers who are left stranded on the bus park in the afternoons, due to the lack of minibuses operating on the East Bank of Demerara, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Coast Demerara and East Coast Demerara routes.
Some drivers recognised that the big bus transportation system was initiated by government due to recent strike action by the Route 44 buses (Georgetown/Mahaica) for higher fares.
But the Routes 32 and 42 minibus drivers are displeased with the government’s deployment of the big buses, since they claim to have made no demands for higher fares and deny exploiting passengers.
Michael Anthony, a bus driver operating on the Georgetown/Parika route for the past eight years, said, “Let them go to the Route 44 passengers and give them free drop, because is the 44 bus drivers start the strike and now all of us got to suffer.” Route 44 minibus drivers who went on strike said that the government refused to permit a $20 increase in their bus fares and instead introduced the free bus transportation system. The drivers said that government’s decision will cause them to lose profits since many passengers are eager to access the “free” transportation.
Rohit Shiopersaud, a Route 44 driver who has been in the business for the past five years, said “the 44 bus drivers only wanted a $20 raise in the fare but out of spite, the government prefer to invest millions in taxpayers’ money to provide the free transportation.”
Jonathan Daw, another driver operating on the Mahaica Bus Park, said that “we wanted a $20 raise in the bus fare because we have to make longer trips than the other buses and also consume more fuel. Now they deploy these big buses in response to our strike, which is really unreasonable and unfair.”
Meanwhile, in a press release disseminated yesterday, the United Minibus Union said that they are in no way associated with any minibus strike on fare increases taken by non-members of the union.
The Union noted that it is ready to meet with the authorities to discuss these and other matters affecting minibuses in Guyana.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
GUYSUCO’s problems are political not managerial
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The sugar industry has been for centuries Guyana’s agricultural backbone. Yet, its struggles... more
Breaking the Chains of Poverty: A need for political will
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The year 2024 has underscored a grim reality: poverty continues to be an unyielding... more
Weekend Cartoon
