MINIBUS drivers and conductors of the Sophia (Number 48) Route have found themselves in a position where they are virtually forced to play “musical chairs” or “pay the ticket” as they daily struggle to get in on the limited parking space on Croal Street, outside of Demico House in downtown Georgetown . This situation yesterday resulted in Route No. 48 operators at the park temporarily “downing tools” as they headed across to City Hall to seek an audience with the Town Clerk for his intervention in the matter. However, the Town Clerk was at the time unavailable, since he was at a meeting.
Drivers told the Guyana Chronicle that at the park there are about 50 minibuses registered to run the Sophia route – one of the largest around town. The buses satisfy commuters of ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ Fields Sophia and Pike Street.
But the dilemma the Route No. 48 buses face is that under the new chain-demarcated lane system at the park, there is space available for only about 24 buses in the line. It means that about 26 buses are forced to remain outside the demarcated area, with nowhere to fit in, forcing them to keep circling around Stabroek Square, until a space is created.
Meanwhile, the police have placed a white road marker which appears immediately behind the last bus, making it clear that any buses parking outside of that white line are in breach of the traffic laws since it blocks the carriageway. The area under contention is at the corner of Avenue of the Republic and Croal Street, northwest of St. Andrews Kirk.
It is marked ‘No Stopping,” but the drivers are contending that vehicles do not drive there, hence they cannot be obstructing traffic. “We will be on the margin of the road and so cannot block the carriageway. It happens at the Plaisance Park,” the drivers contend.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
The situation “reached a head” yesterday when the drivers decided that enough was enough and decided to “down tools.” The traffic cops on patrol intervened and the drivers explained their position.
The drivers recalled that advisories were earlier released stating that ranks will be deployed to help maintain order and fair play at the bus parks. They enquired of the police as to the progress being made, but were told that it was an arrangement by the Mayor and City Council. It was on such grounds that they set out to meet with the Town Clerk.
“We are asking the police to allow us, for convenience sake, to park outside of the line, (on a stretch marked ‘No Stopping’ northwest of St. Andrews Kirk) , but they say they can’t allow us.”
The men were adamant. They argued that the law states that you should not cause, or be likely to cause obstruction to the free flow of traffic, and insist that they are not obstructing the flow, since vehicles do not go there.
But the overriding concern is the amount of gasolene used as the drivers circle Stabroek Square, playing for time to get into the park. They also argue that traffic tickets keep gobbling up what money they make, given such difficult circumstances.
One elderly man who works from noon to 7:00 p.m. related that on an average he makes only about three Stabroek/Campbellville round trips per day. Others claim that it could take up to two hours in the line before loading up to move off.
Being aware that there are still inconsiderate bus drivers who continue to work the “hot-plate” outside of the chain, but at the head of the line, the drivers are calling for a level playing field, and would like the police to cease turning a blind eye to the persistent abuse. They also noted that there are some ‘B’ Field buses that pick up passengers at the back of the line and move on. “We are calling for an end to that too, everybody must wait their turn,” the aggrieved drivers insisted. (sthomas@guyanachronicle.com)

By Shirley Thomas