Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 04, 2015 News
Minibus operators of the Number 45 bus terminal are upset with what they describe as the “tout problem” which they claim has gotten out of hand.
On any given day rush hour is probably the most profitable time for commercial transportation operators. As such, the competition to get the most customers is high. According to some bus operators in the lower Georgetown, Stabroek area, this competition has evolved into a nuisance that is negatively affecting their livelihood.
“The issue here is how we can remove touts from the 45 minibus park,” Kevin Rose told this publication.
“Touts”, Rose explained, are young men who assist in loading passengers in buses. However, over the past year or so, Rose related that the touts have become increasingly violent when it comes to getting customers for buses.
Moreover, the minibus owner said that the young men are breaking the rules of how the bus system is supposed to work in the 45 minibus park. For this particular bus park, there are two lines where the minibuses line up and take turns to receive passengers.
The problem arises when these touts show preferential treatment to those minibuses which do not adhere to the line system and “jump in front”.
“They (touts) have these buses which they have preferences over and they would neglect the buses that are staying within the line system,” related Rose. The preferential treatment has essentially resulted in a third line at the 45 minibus park. This line caters to operators that jump the line and the touts which get business for those buses.
For Rose as well as other bus operators, this third line of operations has cut into the business they regularly do.
“Before you can get one trip these buses would get three or four trips. And you can’t get the trips you’re supposed to be getting,” said the bus owner. His main concern is that the current lane system is not bringing about the order it was intended to and that to regain this order the “touts must be removed”.
The problem recently escalated when Rose and some other touts were involved in a scuffle, which led to assault charges being made and a court case between the two parties.
But according to Bibi Khan, a bus conductress, these types of physical altercations are becoming the norm for those operating in the park. She related an incident whereby some touts deliberately blocked the passenger door of her bus.
This action prohibited customers from travelling with the Khans, and led to an altercation between her husband and the men. When asked whether she reported the matter to the police, she said that it was “a waste of time” to go to the authorities.
“We glad for the touts to be removed,” said Khan, while she added that it was negatively affecting her family’s business.
When Kaieteur visited the downtown Stabroek Market area, it was evident that touts and bus operators using the structured lanes do not cooperate, as well as those buses which use the “third” line. At one point, Rose and one of the young men got into a dispute.
Attempts to garner direct comments from the touts however were futile, as none of them were willing to speak on record with this publication.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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