Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 06, 2011 Letters
Dear Editor,
This seemingly little incident (to be told a little later) is symptomatic of some nasty trends in Guyana, and unless these terrible habits cease, Guyana will continue to deteriorate.
My issue is with the minibus transportation system in Guyana. I am a student at the University of Guyana (UG) and currently, I pay $100 one way, from the campus to the UG Park. This 25 percent hike in fair (from $80 to $100) was imposed, when the operators complained about the rise in gasoline price locally.
So, the first question is, if there is a ‘dressing down’ what happens to the man at the bottom? In this case, it is the students of UG. There was a feeble attempt to address the matter, by the University of Guyana Student Society, but the attempt, like the organisation, was feeble, and thus proved futile. Now that the price of gasoline has dropped to what it was before, how come that extra $20 is still being charged? Here is where the student body should agitate for justice and decency. Other than that, the government, particularly, the Ministry of Education should intervene.
Now for that incident, and yes, it is again with the minibus situation here in Guyana.
I boarded a minibus (Wednesday, June 01, 2011, at the East Coast car/bus park, around 16:00) before the driver had the opportunity to ‘pick and choose’ his commuters. He, along with his conductor then singled out young females first. This was so annoying because there was an elderly woman who was mercilessly left out.
In fact, the driver then informed the imploring ‘ole lady’ that he was filled. However, the driver then circled around the block to pick up another female. I observed carefully this attitude and it is wide spread. I reasoned that ‘they do not know any better.’ However, I said to myself, why is there a mini bus/conductor/traffic act? If the old will be shunned like this, then their protection and aid must be enforced. And this is not a difficult task.
The UG minibus operators have a system of ‘first come-first filled’ so that no one can be discriminated against. This should be the mandate for all the operators, and hence the parks will be decent and in order. There would be no competition for passengers, and this will eliminate the ‘jostling conductors.’
Of course the great benefit is that the ‘aged and slow’ will not be cruelly left behind. If ‘nice and gullible girls’ and ‘macho operators’ have a thing’ going then they must wait their turn. To spell it out: let the ‘dressed up ladies’ board and wait, in their favourite buses.
When I reached home, this incident ‘played on my mind’ and I am sure, many have witnessed such scenes. Yet no one is speaking out. This is the call then.
Minister, Clement Rohee must impose the ‘rule of law.’ There must be no discrimination. Minibus operators must adhere to this. This can be effected by simply deploying police officers at all the parks, and they must then make sure that the ‘line-up’ system be in place. Secondly, it will bring great dignity to the transportation sector if drivers and conductors of minibuses be ‘uniformed.’ A dress code is necessary. This particular driver had ‘his hairy and ugly belly’ for public viewing. At best, he was most unkempt. Again, Mr. Rohee, please show some concern and impose your wisdom, authority and common sense. Act Mr. Rohee and Mr. Rohee act now.
Rizwan Ali
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
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