Dear Editor,
The minibus operators and conductors – Route 31 would like to bring to your attention our dissatisfaction due to the lack of order at the Georgetown-Patentia bus park.
Some operators deliberately park their bus in the line, thereby preventing any forward movement. This practice allows chosen buses from the back of the line to come out of the said line and replace ones that are filled and departing at the front.
Another deliberate act is some operators and conductors are teaming-up with the (usually rude) “touts” to “bully” and take away passengers to fill the buses of their choice which are obviously part of the team.
Having experienced these and many more abuses and harassment day after day makes us terribly frustrated. It would appear as though only some persons have the right to operate the “31 route” and occupy that park; there is absolutely no room for newcomers or outsiders.
If we allow this to continue how will we be able to survive? And further, how will we be able to attract foreigners, investors and tourists (all of whom we so badly need) to this beautiful land of ours when there is always pulling, tugging, loud and abusive language, and disrespect for commuters and their property and fighting constantly in this particular bus park.
We strongly request urgent intervention by the relevant authority to implement a system and have present an officer, or someone of the sort, to enforce law and order, also to document buses as they arrive, join the line, fill up and depart in an orderly manner without fear or favour so that every person can be given a fair chance at making a living. The Georgetown-Canal #2 and Georgetown-Parika Park and many others have a decent, orderly system that works, why can’t we do the same?
We are willing to have a meeting with the authority governing these issues as soon as possible to work together towards resolving this matter.
Yours faithfully,
R Singh
