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Drivers complained bitterly that the areas chosen by the NDC for relocation of the bus and car parks are far away from the busy areas of Parika which commuters traverse, and passengers will not walk such long distances to acquire transportation, thus putting their operations at grave disadvantage in terms of earning them a livelihood.
NDC representatives at that meeting had raised complaints from business places and individuals that drivers and conductors habitually block their entrances with their vehicles, and solicit passengers in a disorderly manner. Moreover, they throw their garbage just about anywhere they please, without regard for either the feelings of persons whose residences or places of business they affect by their actions, or those conducting businesses nearby.
And there is a war seemingly being waged between the Georgetown/Parika and Parika/Vreed-en-Hoop drivers, since the Vreed-en-Hoop drivers have reportedly refused to get into the suggested orderly lines, choosing instead to solicit passengers at any location in the streets, thus making it difficult for the Georgetown drivers to successfully solicit passengers.
Georgetown drivers are also claiming that Vreed-en-Hoop drivers would pay the police at Parika to turn a blind eye to their disorderly operation. Some Georgetown drivers further complained that unruly touts pose a distinct discomfort, if not danger, to commuters and drivers on the bus parks, since the Vreed-en-Hoop drivers would pay a tout as much as $1500 to fill a bus with passengers; and thus touts attempt to full buses in a disorderly manner, resulting in some buses having to wait “for ages” in the designated lines before they can get a single load.
Touts are also reportedly pugnacious, and would pelt each other with bottles when arguments erupt among themselves. Moreover, they harass and harangue passengers, much to the latter’s displeasure.
Some drivers complained that some buses operate without conductors, and they are calling on the police to be honest and professional in stamping out this practice and in restoring order on the bus parks.
Impending protest
Drivers operating the Parika/ Georgetown route are planning to stage a protest against an association in Parika which claims to be representing bus drivers, and is daily taking money from drivers who wish to operate from the bus park.
Drivers say daily takings of this association amount to more than $100,000., and they are questioning the authenticity of this association, claiming that repeated requests still cannot cause them to be informed about the entire operations of this association, or move the association to call a members meeting. Moreover, this association has not been able to bring order to the operation of the bus park.
Questions concerning how the daily collected funds are used have elicited response that the bank account of this body has been closed since 2005, and that funds presently collected from drivers are used to pay staff of this association, according to the drivers.
But NDC Chairman Jaideo Sookhoo noted that the drivers’ claims are ridiculous, and that they just want license to operate on the park in a disorganized and disorderly manner. He said the NDC has already identified Peter Street as a temporary location for the Georgetown zone buses, while the Vreed-en-Hoop buses will be temporarily relocated alongside the road leading to Hydroni; and the hire cars will be moved to Reserve 228, while the short drop buses and cars will offload at the Syraj Gas Station in Parika.
He said the NDC is currently trying its best to work along with bus drivers, conductors and hire car drivers, and expects their full cooperation to ensure order is restored on the parks.
