8QiRQ FaOOs IRr tePSRrar\ KaOt tR PiQibus iPSRrts
Thousands of *uyanese depend on hundreds of privately-owned busses widely recogni]ed as the most common means of public transportation. Divided into various numbered-]ones based on the route, minibuses over the years became an economic earner for many. But long-serving President of the 8nited Minibus 8nion, Eon Andrews believes that the situation, which is fuelled by greed has gotten out of control and that the government must step in. “I don’t know why they bringing in so many buses. As far as we are concerned, they got too many busses in the country. What they have to do is work out a pact where they have to put some stop to the buses that are coming in,” Andrews stated. -ames Cowsil, Head of the 8nion for route 32 buses *eorgetown-Parika said there is overcrowding in many bus routes. He explained that there are about 500 buses registered to ply route 32, but the three parks allocated by *overnment could only accommodate about 50 buses. Those parks are at Parika, Vreed-en-Hoop and in *eorgetown at the Stabroek Market sTuare. “Where are we going to put these buses when you continue to bring more and more?” Cowsil asked. He said there has been an influx of ‘Pit-bull’ buses and assume that they will soon take over. “They account for 20 in our ]one. What is going to happen with all those buses that registered from since we had the HH and come down to the W series now? The authorities really need to look into this situation before it goes further,” Cowsil stated. He stated that most of the buses that are colorfully wrapped are being bought by senior officials who then hire drivers. “Right now, we have a businessman who owns about 40 buses in different routes. Those are the people who are creating the monster for the people who are barely surviving where you might have someone leave their profession to work a minibus. The drivers and the conductors are given a target and they go out every day rushing to make that target. It is not easy,” Cowsil argued.
At the same time, minibus operators said fewer persons are using the buses since people are migrating. Meanwhile, the cost of operation continues to climb.
(Kaieteur News)