–drivers labelled covetous, uncooperative

EXECUTIVE members of the Region 10 Bus Association are seeking the intervention of the government through the Interim Management Committee and the Police Traffic Department of ‘E’ Division as bus drivers are failing to adhere to the procedures that stipulate the proper functioning of the line system. This seven-month-old dispute has spiralled out of control, and the opposing drivers are reaping the majority of passengers, while those operating in accordance with the line system are bearing the bitter end of their legitimate stand.
These mini buses which run the #43 route of Linden to Georgetown have attempted implementation of the line system twice before, but as currently occurring, the system is not lasting a week. In this instance, it lasted for only two days.
The Region 10 Minibus Association, formed on January 20, 2015 aims to create a forum in which all bus drivers and conductors can earn equally after a day’s work. It has always been noted by members of the public, especially passengers of this route, that travelling with these mini-buses can be the most distasteful and uncomfortable experience. The aggressive soliciting of passengers (touting) and the reckless driving as well as the continuous increases in fares are just some of the complaints that are being voiced. In addition to this, the “random filling system” is advantageous to some drivers who are known as the “elites” or popular drivers, while the other drivers are unable to make more than one trip per day. Taking these factors into consideration, the line system was implemented as the disorderly behaviour of touts was shunned and it was not good for tourism, according to the secretary of the association, Eon Lorrimor.
The association was launched and several engagements were held with the Interim Management Committee as well as with the Commander of ‘E’ Division to embrace this line system by enforcing stringent measures to prosecute anyone who fails to adhere to the policies enacted. The association was given all assurance by these authorities that the park would be kept in check for persons failing to adhere. Permission was granted to demarcate the park and to set up boulders to institute the system. On Monday, March 10, the line system commenced and everything went with decency and order. On the first day of April, a percentage of the drivers called the “elites” who were accustomed to reaping from the “random filling system” called a strike, even after being present at the meetings and voting for these changes. There was a total withdrawal of the police and when the commander was confronted by the proposers of the line system, he affirmed that he was given orders to stop harassing the bus men by higher authority; hence it was out of his power to prosecute the men. With this being said, the “elite” drivers started loading their buses out of the line, much to the loss of those who stuck with the system.
“ When one man making two and three trips out of the line, another man punishing whole day to make one in the line,” lamented one bus driver who wished to remain anonymous.
The secretary of the association, who has been taking the plight being faced by the bus drivers to the Ministry of the Presidency, was finally invited to a meeting with Minister Annette Ferguson who made several promises to change the situation. To date, these changes have not been made and the disorderly drivers continue to ignore the line system, continue to solicit passengers aggressively with the use of touts and continue to reap the majority of the passengers by making several trips daily. The Office of the Mayor and Town Council has not taken up its authority of controlling the activities that take place at the park. The traffic police mentioned that they were responsible for what occured on the road and not at the Park, hence the drivers who were desirous of making this system successful were on their own and are now calling on the government to intervene.