Latest update December 23rd, 2024 2:47 AM
Guyanese bus drivers block Surinamese operators in tit-for-tat
an official from the TCT removing Guyanese passengers earlier in the year
Guyana to Suriname bus operators have given their Suriname counterparts a taste of their own medicine, turning back a Surinamese operator at Moleson Creek, after they themselves received the same treatment for months.
The stalemate, which has existed since last December, was brought about following instances of authorities from the Surinamese Ministry of Transport, Communications and Tourism (TCT) allegedly harassing several bus operators from the local company ‘I love Suriname’ transport service, even emptying their vehicles of passengers.
According to the aggrieved bus operators, upon this being done, the bus operators are then sent on to Paramaribo.
“Is either you go empty or you turn back,” Justin Perez, a bus operator explained.
According to him, Surinamese authorities are said to be committing these actions in the name of an outdated Caribbean Community (CARICOM) law, barring Guyanese from plying the route for hire.
However, they are contending that when Suriname joined the Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME) in 2008, allowing free movement and trade, those laws were supposed to be rendered defunct.
According to the operator, the matter came to a head when yesterday’s ferry coming over to Guyana from Suriname was loaded with four buses at Moleson Creek.
While three of the buses were empty, there was a fourth bus that was overloaded with passengers.
In view of Suriname’s stance against Guyana’s private hire bus industry, the Guyanese operators proceeded to block the roadway leading from the ferry.
They used their minibuses, in order to keep the Surinamese bus in check, until the police could arrive.
When the police arrived they immediately ordered the bus operators to clear their buses from the roadway, which they did. They then checked the licence and registration of the Surinamese driver, who said that he had got his passengers from Paramaribo.
According to the operator, the bus not only had a Suriname plate, but it also had no insurance. The Guyana police officers proceeded to escort the operator back to the ferry to offload the passengers.
“If he wants to come down empty, no problem. But he cannot load passengers and come down. He comes from Paramaribo, so he picks up passengers, sometimes from the boat.”
Meanwhile, as this was playing out at Moleson Creek, a delegation of bus drivers paid a visit to the Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“They said that they are looking into it, but it is an urgent matter that must be dealt with. This has resulted in several aggrieved tour operators making complaints to the Suriname and Guyana embassies, as well as to Guyana’s Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Foreign affairs over the months.
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