PERMIT me please to share a little anecdote, which I think is all too familiar, but with very serious implications. The reason I am sharing this incident with the general public is to add that important voice of concern regarding the minibus situation. I preface my comments by first thanking His Excellency, President Jagdeo and Minister Clement Rohee for being very vocal and crying out for a quick and permanent reversal in the travelling industry, here in Guyana. Now for that story. I was on board a 42 (Short and Grove) minibus, and disembarked, along with a female passenger at the Banks DIH turn. I paid my $60.00, but noticed that a woman paid $80.00. Curiosity and justice got the better of me, and upon inquiry, the female passenger told me that the $80.00 is what she always pays, and in the event of paying with a hundred dollar bill, she seldom gets back any change (thus she finds those four 20-dollar bills). ‘I was bombed.’ This practice of subtly fleecing commuters is all too common and must stop. But how?
Well, I suggest that all passengers be acquainted with the ‘set’ and ‘legal’ bus fares. I remember, on one occasion, on a 40 (Kitty/Campbelville) bus, I courteously requested my correct $40.00 change, after being given the $20.00. The sneaky conductor tried the bullying game, and opined that the fare is $80.00. So I was about to take his name, along with the bus number, and as expected, he relented. He was peeved, and inquired for reasons regarding my being so exact. Well I answered him in a most dramatic and effective manner. I took the hundred dollar bill from him, gave him back his $40.00, and then paid him with (my) $40.00. He quickly objected, stating that the fare is $60.00. I hope that readers are getting the real message here.
First, these minibus operators know exactly what they are doing and to whom. Also, if passengers do not object, the situation will become all too normal, and a ‘wrong will suddenly look right.’ I add here, that the rapidly increasing exploiting operators have been given the ‘go-ahead’ via the actions of the very people they exploit. These exploited travelers are sometimes too fearful and indolent. They have rights but never take the time and effort to ensure that they get their deserved treatment. They must remember that minibus operators are governed not only by traffic laws, but codes of conduct-courtesy, comfort for the users, no discrimination etc. So it is now left to all passengers who feel slighted to simply and forcefully act in a cooperative way. The time is more than ripe. Also, it is wrong to cry foul when you the victim, do nothing about your plight.