Bringing order to public transportation

THE United Minibus Union (UMU) must be commended for its efforts in bringing some semblance of order to minibus operations in Guyana.

As we reported earlier this week, through the Union, over 45 minibus operators have begun wearing the organisation’s newly- designed uniform. UMU President Eon Andrews has said that this is the first of many steps that the union intends taking to ensure that public transportation in Guyana is brought up to speed, and in accordance with world standards. He explained that according to the trajectory Guyana is on, the entire country can expect to be propelled in a new order of operations, and as such the public transport sector must be able to keep up with the pace.

“So basically, when a country starts to expand, especially with the discovery of oil, you’ll find all kinds of persons would start coming to our country. And there could very well be persons who would want to bring fleets of buses. So what we are doing here is that they must put themselves in order, and get themselves to that standard, so that the government would be able to see that our people are trying,” Andrews said, adding:
“But it will not work unless they get themselves in order; unless they become good business persons, because it’s a business you’re doing now. And if you want to promote your business, you must have a good appearance. You must be able to speak to people; you must respect the elderly; you must respect the differently abled; you must respect children; and you must understand that there are certain criteria that you have to conform to when you’re providing public transportation.”

Another area that the UMU proposes to swiftly address is the illegal but persistent culture among minibus operators of touting; a culture that has long been in survival mode, despite adverse public opinion and intermittent police crackdowns. This persistent nuisance exhibits various shades of criminality, including the growing and blatant disrespect for authority, and should not be allowed to continue. Amidst the country’s progressive emphasis on tourism, the public outrage against sexual abuse, and a growing need for public order, the authorities should condignly terminate this aberration.

The Guyana Police Force must treat this aspect of what is euphemistically referred to as ‘a minibus culture’ as a clear and present danger to our travelling public, regardless of age, ethnicity or nationality. The most targeted and vulnerable persons appear to be schoolgirls, nubile women, and tourists.

Unfortunately, in many incidents of harassment by minibus touts while soliciting passengers, citizens generally take a vow of silence and decline the role of ‘my brother’s keeper’ or ‘my sister’s keeper’, and don’t even sound a voice of censure. In fact, in this so-called ‘minibus culture’, touting, loud and ribald music, fondling and other aspects of harassment, as well as reckless driving have become the new normal.
While there have been sporadic condemnation of minibus touting by individuals, and half-hearted police clampdowns, the problem has not yet drawn any notable attention from civil society.

There is need for concerted and outspoken opposition against this wanton disregard for minibus passengers, who support what essentially is a public service being provided by private sector entrepreneurs. Some touts are even seen to be engaging in a virtual tug-o-war, but instead of a rope, they grab the bags and even the person of besieged passengers, sometimes after a 25-yard dash to the unsuspecting targets. This tactic disregards the right of each passenger to decide which minibus to choose, while the absence of a regulated queuing system for minibuses persists.

Another aspect of minibus touting that is not readily discernible is the extortion scheme, whereby bus drivers and owners are required to pay a sort of tithe for the service, even unsolicited, of having their vehicles loaded by strong-arm tactics.

There have been instances when some young men utilise this avenue of catching a quick dollar, but sooner, rather than later, upgrade themselves to emerge as more productive individuals in sustainable economic pursuits

. Many others, too many, however, are louts who shirk their social responsibility, and get caught in the dependency culture, taking refuge among the underclass.

When all is said and done, it is the police who must face the major challenge of uprooting this loathsome and law-breaking practice of minibus touting, summoning up the will and manpower to ensure its termination, once and for all.

Perhaps it would be useful if a multi-disciplinary approach is taken in dealing with this problem. Touts can be targeted by social welfare officers, in addition to faith-based and civil society organisations that can make an attempt at motivating some behavioural change. We need not rely exclusively or merely on law-enforcement intervention.

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