By Vanessa Braithwaite
THE revolution of the Region 10 (Linden) transportation system has taken bread out of the mouths of many. Cars are slowly gobbling up the industry.Many Route 45 minibus drivers are considerably affected, as the transportation monopoly is now lost to car drivers.
The first set of drivers to share their market with car drivers were the short- drop buses serving persons in Amelia’s Ward and Wismar.
Approximately six years ago, both hire and private cars started to run the same route at the same price, and since many persons found this more convenient, the buses were gradually forced out of the market.

STIFF COMPETITION
To date, only one bus has decided to take on the stiff competition and continues to work the route.
After several engagements with the Mayor and Town Council over the allocation of the Park, the short drop cars gained victory, and are now operating from the Park where the buses were previously operating from. With this new choice of transportation many bus drivers and conductors are left without a means of employment. Some of them are still in the process of paying loans for their buses. These drivers who have families to take care of, and bills to pay have been driving for years, and are not in possession of any form of trade or academic qualifications required for other forms of employment.
Former bus driver, Dale Fraser had to seek employment at a local Security Firm as the only thing he did for the majority of his life was taken away from him and there was nothing left to fight for. “Them car man come and take over the wuk, and we just had to remove we self. We fight, we fight, we fight, but we lose in the end,” Fraser revealed.
He also said the cars had the support of the people, as they saw them as a more convenient option compared to the buses.

LINDEN TO GT
Also losing their monopoly are the Route 45 minibuses which run from Linden to Georgetown.
About a year ago, a few cars started working the same route and capturing the attention of the passengers going to Georgetown. As it became more popular, the numbers increased, and to date there are over 50 cars making two and three trips from Linden to Georgetown daily. This has been deemed a tremendous blow to the minibuses and big buses that run this route.
Cars accepting the same fee as the buses lure passengers to their services by promising convenience, comfort and safety. In addition, the cars commenced operations at the allotted short-drop park, therefore having the advantage of accessing the customers departing the short drop cars. They were taking tremendous business away from the minibuses.
“We just deh whole day not seeing we customers coming to the park until we realise that the car men them getting them before they could even come to the Georgetown Park,” mentioned one bus driver.

DEAF EARS
Secretary of the Region 10 Minibus Association, Eon Lorrimor said that these cars were illegally tolerated by the Mayor and Town Council to operate from a park under their management. This complaint fell on deaf ears however since the cars were paying a toll to the Municipality on every entrance into the park. “If these cars make three trips, is three times they paying the Town Council, and so they were benefitting from this operation,” Lorrimor said.
The Council, which titled these cars “route 45 passenger taxis”, suggested that since the cars were having the advantage of operating from the short- drop park, they should relocate to the Linden-Georgetown Bus Park. The car drivers refused to honour this suggestion, and started to operate from the regular taxi park located at the boat landing.
At that park, the Municipality is not benefitting from any tolls. Even at this juncture, they were not stopped.
The reduction of business for the minibuses has a ripple effect as not only the drivers, but conductors and touts depend on these buses to satisfy their daily needs.

MIXED RESPONSES
When this publication spoke with several drivers on how this change has affected their livelihood, they shared mixed views on the issue. Some of the drivers are of the opinion that this is retribution being paid by the innocent for the failings of the guilty.
Currently, the Association is divided over the instituting of the line system because of receiving several complains and remarks of dissatisfaction from the passengers as it relates to the aggressive soliciting of passengers.
Shanteal Alleyne, one passenger who travels to Georgetown daily to attend the University of Guyana, said that is the main reason why she stopped travelling with the buses and is now supporting the car drivers. “Those bus drivers make travelling uncomfortable. The harassment you have to go through just to enter into a bus is very discouraging,” she said.
According to one driver, who asked to remain annonymous, “These rebel drivers who do not want to support the line system and are continuing to harass passengers all because of covetousness is the reason that we are in this situation today.”
He said that it was unfortunate that all of the drivers had to pay for this selfish attitude. Many of these drivers recently invested in buses and have obligations to banks and loan agencies. They have families to feed and are affected tremendously by this situation.