Union calls for temporary halt to minibus imports

Jun 04, 2018 News

…simply too many on the roads, says Union President

There are calls for the authorities to rein in the prevailing chaos in the minibus industry.

President of the United Minibus Union, Eon Andrews (left) and James Cowsil, head of the Route 32 Minibus Union.

Thousands of Guyanese depend on hundreds of privately-owned busses widely recognized as the most common means of public transportation. Divided into various numbered-zones based on the route, minibuses over the years became an economic earner for many.
But long-serving President of the United Minibus Union, Eon Andrews believes that the situation, which is fuelled by greed has gotten out of control and Government must step in.
“I don’t know why they bringing in so many buses. As far as we are concerned, they got too many busses in the country. What they have to do is work out a pact where they have to put some stop to the buses that are coming in,” Andrews stated.
James Cowsil, Head of the Union for route 32 buses (Georgetown-Parika) said there is overcrowding in many bus routes.
He explained that there are about 500 buses registered to ply route 32, but the three parks allocated by Government could only accommodate about 50 buses.
Those parks are at Parika, Vreed-en-Hoop and in Georgetown at the Stabroek Market square.
“Where are we going to put these buses when you continue to bring more and more?” Cowsil asked.
He said there has been an influx of ‘Pit-bull’ buses and assume that they will soon take over.
“They account for 20% in our zone. What is going to happen with all those buses that registered from since we had the HH and come down to the W series now? The authorities really need to look into this situation before it goes further,” Cowsil stated.
He stated that most of the buses that are colourfully wrapped are being bought by senior officials who then hire drivers.
“Right now, we have a businessman who owns about 40 buses in different routes. Those are the people who are creating the monster for the people who are barely surviving where you might have someone leave their profession to work a minibus. The drivers and the conductors are given a target and they go out every day rushing to make that target. It is not easy,” Cowsil argued.

Minibuses lined outside the Stabroek Market

At the same time, minibus operators said fewer persons are using the buses since people are migrating. Meanwhile, the cost of operation continues to climb.
Andrews was asked about the return of Government buses. He stated that the industry currently thrives on the free market system where people are bringing in vehicles.
However, Government at this time cannot undertake to provide a bus service.
“During the halcyon years with all the problems that we had these people stepped up and spent their money. Some of them bought buses and had to be hiding it in the backdam because of the ‘seize man.’ We need to at some time stop the number of buses we have; they got to stop buses from coming,” Andrews noted.
The Union President stated he plans to write Government this week to discuss issues affecting the sector, including new fare structures.

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