By Michel Outridge

EVEN though the minibus fare structure was stabilized with agreement from all parties involved, the Enterprise/Georgetown operators are still over-charging commuters; and in addition, they are overloading their buses during the peak hours.

The regular fare is $160 from Georgetown to Enterprise, but operators are allegedly charging $200 per commuter and are placing five persons in a seat; and when commuters object, they are allegedly victimised and verbally abused by some of the rogue drivers and conductors.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department says it has no say over fare structures, but its officers can enforce the law when it comes to overloading and loud music in minibuses.

The traffic cops urged that members of the travelling public take note of the licence numbers of defaulting minibuses and make a report to the police. Commuters can simply use technology, such as their smart phones, to make recordings or take photos, which will be admitted as evidence of minibus operators’ wrongdoings.

In addition, the way some minibus drivers and conductors smell, coupled with their unkempt appearance, leaves much to be desired; and their attitude when dealing with the elderly and children is so distasteful, commuters have complained.

Some of these minibus operators reportedly don’t even wait until the older folks are seated in the bus before they drive off, and school children are allegedly packed up like ‘sardines’.

The route 44 minibus operators only work up to a certain time in the evening, and they have their special customers; but during the period between 13:00 hrs and 14:00 hrs, they pick up anybody, it is said.

According to the president of the United Minibus Union, Eon Andrews, this very group is not interested in being a uniformed and disciplined group like the UG/Industry operators. Andrews said he has since received reports that they are choosy in selecting passengers, unlike the Melanie/Victoria route minibus operators. He explained that he was aware that the routes 32 and 42 minibus operators were behaving in the same manner, and said plans are on stream to meet with them to formalise a plan of operation.

Andrews told this publication that the UG/Industry operators are an orderly group of more than 60, and they are engaged in social activities and other developmental projects which are of benefit to the group.
He said he wished other route minibus operators could follow suit. He stated that the park system initiated by the Mayor and City Council was welcomed and it had restored some degree of order at some parks.