TUSCHEN hire-car drivers are contending that they are being bullied by private-car drivers and also by the police since the publication in this newspaper which highlighted their plight.The Traffic Officer of ‘D’ Division who spoke to this newspaper said that yesterday he met with the taxi operators who aired their concerns and these were addressed.

However, he stated that they do not condone lawlessness on the roads and so he ordered that there be no parking at the exit of Tuschen by hire-car drivers.

He explained that the hire-car drivers are upset because they are not getting to do what they want on the roads, but the police will continue to work with them to resolve issues.

The senior officer stated that the area where the hire cars are parked is illegal, because it was allocated for the vendors as part of the market, although it is not being utilised at present and they were allowed to use the space.

He told this publication that the hire-car drivers have a warden, a rural constable, who documents their operations and makes representation on their behalf, but he had been away for three weeks and things went awry.

The traffic officer added that they are inclined to promote law and order and will work with taxi operators, once they operate within the confines of the law.

He stated that the private-car drivers work mostly in the afternoons, when the hire-car drivers retire for the day and there is no clash as is being painted by the hire-car operators.

Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo hire-car operators related that the private- hire drivers are hostile to them and have even resorted to threats.

A group of the hire-car drivers told this newspaper that they are afraid to challenge them because it is only a matter of time before the matter could escalate and become violent.

The men said the private-hire drivers are lawless and do whatever they want, while the police are doing very little to control the situation.

One driver stated that it is their “bread and butter” and their only means of earning and they cannot be bullied and threatened continually.

On the other hand, the private-car operators said they would start work at 17:00 hrs daily when the hire-car drivers have finished working to avoid a confrontation and their cars are well kept and in order so passengers usually prefer to travel with them.

He said their appearance is also clean and tidy and they provide a service and the people welcome that and they have no real issues with their counterparts.

The men said that they are “hustling” just like any other person and they try to do so in a lawful manner and the police visited them and they had a discussion.

By Michel Outridge