Interviews by Tiffny Rhodius
and photos by Jules Gibson
Hector Stoute, public sector employee
I think the bus stops are serving a purpose but it would have been better if parking places were made available for cars in the centre of Georgetown like Regent Street.
What I’ve noticed is that most of the store owners are using their garage that was meant for parking as mall stores or are renting them out. When people are making big buildings they should include in their plans parking space for their customers. The building should be a bit higher so as to allow parking at the bottom.
Bus stops are serving a reason and most drivers are adhering to them, that is, up to six at night. I think that the stops need to be repainted so that identification is easier.
Petamber Persaud, perpetual volunteer worker
I think it is a very good thing but some bus drivers use it on their own convenience. You are putting systems in place to bring back discipline. We of the old school when we remember the systems we had in place, the life we enjoyed was long because we adhered to these systems.
It is good if we can have people adhering to these systems. Those who adhere show great respect for the rule. This helps you accomplish so much more. And by disobeying you are also stealing the right of the other person to accomplish something else especially if you jump the line.
If we take it into other spheres of life we’d have a better life for Guyanese.
Melanie Alphonso, private sector employee
I think it was a positive idea in terms of promoting order because before they stopped anywhere and created confusion. The bus stops create a bit more order.
In terms of the effectiveness, there is still work to be done because drivers are using the stops to their own convenience. When you ask for a stop they tell you you have to get off at the bus stop and when they have to pick up passengers they stop anywhere.
A simple solution to get drivers to use the stops is to position some of the cops who patrol the area close to the bus stops so that they can upbraid the drivers who don’t comply with the stops.
Ulanda McGarrell, teacher
At certain junctions the bus stops help but at others they don’t. I think it is a good idea but for buses that don’t obey and use the stops, some kind of system such as having the drivers pay a fine should be implemented.
Even the people who don’t correctly use the crossings should be fined. Overall I think the bus stops are good but they are not being used properly.
Abigail Razack, teacher
I think the bus stops are a good idea because it avoids confusion. However the drivers who do not use the stops show a double standard because the passengers will want to patter after them. If they don’t use the stops the passengers will not use it either.
I don’t know if there are any penalties for not using the stops but I think that there should be since the stops were introduced. However the idea of bus stops is really nice. I visited England once and the traffic observation in that country is really nice and I really admire it. They are not in such a rush they can’t stop and be polite.
Sue-Ann Kaladeen, student
I think it is good to have bus stops but I also believe that they are not placed right. For example the Camp Street bus stop should not be there. The road is not wide enough to accommodate that stop and it obstructs the traffic.
I’m not sure where I would move that stop to but I do know that it should not be there. I think the placements of stops should be reviewed and drivers who do not comply with the stops should be charged.
Martha Cheong
I think that they should make the stops shorter. I don’t 
travel much but one day when I did, the driver was playing the music loud and when I asked him to turn it down he was rude to me and told me if I want I can come out. So I did. But in regards to the bus stop I think they should put the stops nearer to where you are going.
Shermon Kyte, public sector employee
I think it is a good thing especially in controlling the lawlessness on the road. They honestly do work but the problem is we always looking at the law breakers what I noticed in other countries like Barbados they are given a ticket.
If we are to do the same and be stern and issue tickets to those who don’t comply with the stops then bus drivers will be more aware and pull up their socks. I also think that the bus stop does help the traffic congestion especially on Regent Street.
Kelvin Nicholls, private sector employee
It helps the traffic but what I’m saying is if they could use Charlotte Street to come back down to town and Regent Street to go up, that is, make them one ways then I think it would help with the traffic congestion. The bus stop is the right procedure since stopping anywhere can cause accidents and congestion; the bus stop is the right way to go.
Malcolm DeFreitas, political scientist
They do work but the problem is the bus drivers who park in front of an already parked bus at the end of the stop which could lead to a potential increase in accidents.
I think that our city is not organised effectively in terms of traffic flows. We need to have the entire Regent Street a one way street.
I also don’t think that the bus stops are effectively marked and drivers are not trained to use it. The pedestrians need to be trained to use the stops as well. When we started bus stops you had to create a cultural change, awareness and sanctions. Regulations will not be enforced without sanctions.
