The government is preparing a list of regulations which will be circulated to stakeholders in the public transportation sector for their input into formulating general guidelines for the regulation of public transport.
The Ministry of Transport and Hydraulics is spearheading this exercise and the Police Traffic Department and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce will also be making contributions.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn on Thursday met with representatives of the various public transportation associations in the city to discuss issues affecting them, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
Issues highlighted by the associations included the non-compliance by some operators with the recently implemented parking arrangements for mini-buses plying the number 45 and 41 routes and the failure of some traffic ranks to enforce compliance.
According to GINA, Minister Benn said that responsible behaviour was expected from mini-bus operators, especially with the influx of visitors during Carifesta X which begins next week. He noted that it should not be necessary for government to have to enact laws to control all undesirable behaviour.
In the meantime, concerns were raised over such matters as the disposal of garbage by passengers on the roadways, and it was suggested that a public education programme be instituted to assist in correcting this behaviour. The display of suggestive slogans and other art promoting immoral behaviour and the use of illegal drugs were also matters of concern raised.
Traffic Chief Neil Semple, who was present at the meeting, said that the police force was examining the possibility of withholding road fitness certificates to vehicles used for public transportation that had undesirable markings.
The minister commended the route 45 bus operators for instituting the use of uniforms while on duty.
Meanwhile, the associations’ representatives renewed calls for government to enact legislation to recognize one association which would be the overall representative of public transportation providers in Guyana so that negotiations with the administration could be made through that association.
It was stated also that the association could assist in regulating the standard of conduct expected of its members in order to provide a better service to the public.
The associations’ representatives acknowledged that there was some amount of lawless behaviour displayed by operators. They stated, however, that in most instances these operators were not members of any association and therefore they were powerless to sanction them.
They appealed to the Traffic Chief to ensure that his ranks enforce the laws as these errant operators were often ‘associates’ of police ranks who overlooked their behaviour.
The Traffic Chief said that any rank found fraternizing with mini-bus operators at the expense of their duty should be reported to the Divisional Commanders for action to be taken.
Among the associations represented at the meeting were the Guyana Public Transportation Association, the General Mini-Bus Association and the United Mini-Bus Association, GINA added.
