THE recent stand-off between the mini bus drivers and commuters is a classic case of conjuring up excuses to fault the government. Some of the problems now confronting Guyanese have been self-created. First, the minibus laws and by-laws are being flouted and no one complains. In fact, when minibus operators (drivers and conductors) overload, the already seated passengers take it as a norm. Many times they accept the ‘gie me a shake’ and ‘double up-double up’ and say nothing to curb this now entrenched practice. Added to this is the fact that many female students are in collusion with these immature and anti-intellectual operators. So how can one pass this blame to anybody?  One can ask a question, and the hope is for an answer. Is it lawful for the conductor’s seat to accommodate the conductor plus three passengers? This alone rules out any request for the increased fares that are now being sought, and are already being ‘bullied’ out of travellers.
The second issue deals with the noise nuisance act. This too is not only being disregarded, its disregard is being encouraged by infantile passengers. These ‘ill-breds’ actually bring their own selection of music to be played. What is ludicrous is that on noticing the police, the volume is either lowered or zeroed. This is a joke. It also makes Mr. Rohee and others look foolish. Something should be done to once again redress this obnoxious problem. One wonders how the operators can ask for more money, when already they have more than adequate. Just see the music system and their CD collection. Simple mathematics will reveal that they (the owners, drivers, and conductors) have money to spend on the unnecessary and unlawful, so it negates any reason to ask for an increase.
Finally if citizens of this country (or any other) desire changes, then they have to be a part of those changes.. How long must Guyanese ‘mind their own business?’ When this happens, there is corporate suffering, and then there is the ‘pass the buck’ game, which usually ends at the government’s feet. One should now ask that in exchange for the ‘increase’ that minibus drivers and conductors adhere to all existing rules, that their buses be confiscated when there is a breach, and finally, that there should be a dress code for these uncouth operators. Later on, there should be a public relations course that they must pass.