By Francis Quamina Farrier

LET me begin this feature article by extending to you and yours, Happy Mashramani and hoping that yesterday – which was the 49th Republic Anniversary of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana – was a positive, happy and memorable one for you. The hope, as well, is that Mashramani will always be a grand celebration here in Guyana, and will never be de-emphasised or stymied by any other non-Guyanese event. Mash “is we own” and as patriotic Guyanese, we must do everything we can to “BIG UP” we Mash with pride and dignity, as we sing along with Rudy Grant, “Mash in Guyana”.

Today, I’ve chosen to write an article which I consider to be of grave importance to the day-to-day running of our beautiful Guyana, at this time of our history; the minibus operations. The ‘horse and buggy’ is no longer a means of transportation here in Guyana. The once popular tram-cars which operated from Peter’s Hall to the Seawalls, and around some of the streets of Georgetown, have all gone. Trains which operated from Georgetown to Rosignol and from Vreed-en-Hoop to Parika, as well as passenger trains from Mack0enzie to Ituni, have all gone; so, too, the trains which operated between Port Kaituma and Matthew’s Ridge – all gone, even though British Guiana (Guyana) was the first country in South America to have had trains.

The big wooden buses which operated all across the coastland of Guyana from Charity to Corriverton, all of the past, are gone. It is now the minibus era for the majority of day-to-day commuters here in Guyana. Just close your eyes and consider that for the rest of this week ALL minibuses are off the roads. Frightening, isn’t it? Imagine the resulting situation at private and public offices without staff. Consider schools without teachers or students. Consider the total shut down of the country – because all the minibuses have stayed at home.

Well, ironically, it is also frightening to close your eyes and imagine another week of the minibus madness on our streets and roads. Our minibus service is easily the worst in CARICOM. It is something we have been lamenting for a long time, but the service is only getting from bad to worse. Many people are maimed in crashes. Many are also killed. That is so because of the many minibus crashes which were avoidable. More recently, a fleet of “David G” minibuses have been put into service for students to get to and from school comfortably and safely.

However, one has to admit that there are some really great minibus operators who give their passengers comfortable and professional service, and that must be recognised. As an example, I refer to the Belle twin brothers who operate in one of the Georgetown routes. About 12 years ago, I chartered their service for two weeks, for a group of professors and students from Indiana University in the USA, who were in Guyana on a work study tour. The bus took them to Bartica, the Corentyne Coast, including a visit to Babu John at Port Mourant, and also to Linden. The service by the Belle twin brothers minibus service was so warm and professional, that well over a decade later, two of the professors, who are still in touch with me, always ask that I give the Bell Brothers their regards.

There is another case which greatly impressed me. I was travelling in a minibus from Georgetown to Timehri. The driver took three cell phone calls during the 25-mile journey; and every time his phone rang, he pulled off to the curb, asking his passengers for their understanding. His time on the phone was always less than 30 seconds, and off we went again. I was so impressed by the professionalism of that minibus operator and his respect for his passengers, that I wrote a letter to the Traffic Chief about my wonderful experience. Yes, there are those minibus operators who do give great service and I wonder why it is that their quality of service is not officially recognised; is it that in Guyana today, we are concerned and consumed mainly with those who create confusion and mayhem in the society, and not about those who keep the Golden Arrowhead flying high? Is it that we care little or nothing about our day-to-day heroes and heroines- those who bring us samples of “The Good Life” by the little wonderful things they do for others?

The stories of the many horrific experiences by passengers of minibuses and other road users are well known. There was the case, a few years back, of an elderly passenger who was so roughed-up by the conductor, that the poor gentleman died shortly after. A more recent case was that of an elderly female, who had hardly gotten off the bus when the driver drove off resulting in severe damage to the lady’s arm. When asked why she did not report the incident to the police, the victim responded, “Well, because it would be a waste of time.”
Later, I asked myself how it is that victims of minibus violence accept their pain and suffering without recourse to “service and protection” by the Guyana Police Force?

This feature has the background of my long observances of minibus operations all over Guyana, as well as in many countries in CARICOM, including Suriname, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad and Belize. I have also gained experience with minibus operations in Ghana. As such, I can be classified as an “International Minibus Connoisseur”. The majority of Guyanese minibus passengers would like to see a vast improvement in the operations. The average commuter needs to enjoy `The Good Life’ having paid for the service of the minibus. The hope is that by Mashramani 2020, there will be a quantum leap into a much better minibus service in this The Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Paying passengers deserve a much better service. Once again, Happy Mashramani!