There are some images that have stuck in my head from the time I was about thirteen/fourteen-years-old. Traveling home one day on the East Coast public road from school in the city, I witnessed the aftermath of an accident where at least two minibuses were involved. No child should see what I saw that day– bodies mutilated as if there was never any value to their physical forms, and pools of red that would stain the memories of many for years. About six people died in that accident and, of course, I had nightmares for months after. From that time, I developed a fear when traveling in minibuses, especially on the East Coast public road.
Today, I question if much has changed from then to now, where our minibus culture is concerned. It is a culture that involves speeding, overloading, loud music, overcharging passengers and uncouth drivers and conductors. Sadly, the answer is no. As a matter of fact, if anything, it has gotten worse.
This isn’t true of all minibuses however. Daily, for the most part, I travel in minibuses that are quiet and go at a moderate speed with pleasant drivers and conductors. But the reason I experience this regularly is because I now carefully select which buses I travel in. If I see you speeding towards me, it’s a no. If your music sounds like I would be traveling in a mini-night club or mini-bashment, it’s also a no. For the stand I have taken, I am now the victim of verbal abuse thanks to some minibus drivers and conductors.
“Why you not coming in me bus?” one said to me as I stood by the Kitty bus-park.
“Your music is too loud,” I responded.
“Is why you going on suh like you ole? Is de same music you does be wining to when you in de club!”
The above was followed by expletives.
I will not share what my response was. Just know that I am not one to tolerate people making assumptions about me or ‘tekking dey eyes and pass me.’ My quiet demeanour and smile does not mean that I would allow any man or woman to disrespect me and get away with it.
However, the incident bothered me and got me thinking. Why would this young man assume that I liked dancehall music? Why would he assume that I was a person who frequented the nightclubs? Is it because there is an assumption that all young Black people listen to dancehall music and party regularly? Don’t get me wrong; I think there is a time for everything. I do not frown on people who go to the nightclubs – in my 20s I enjoyed my share of clubbing. I do not frown on people who enjoy dancehall music because everyone is entitled to enjoy whatever music they choose. But at this point in my life, I do not find time to go to nightclubs anymore. I’m just not interested. An evening at the National Cultural Centre or the Theatre Guild to see a good play, enjoy a nice concert and such is what excites me these days. Going to the cinema to take in a good film is also in my comfort zone.
Does it mean that I am old for enjoying the things I described?
Why should I be subjected to hearing about the female and male anatomy or sexual acts described in the vilest ways while traveling in a minibus? Why should I be forced to listen to the glorifying of violence or run the risk of going deaf? Of course, not all dancehall music focuses on the themes mentioned, but it’s what we often hear while traveling on minibuses and I refuse to accept that.
But the thing about the minibus music culture is that a lot of Guyanese love it and have grown to accept it. There are some school children that will not join buses unless there is loud music. Some of us have even grown to accept being uncomfortable when traveling because the conductor forces an extra in the seat. And the speeding, some of us encourage it because we have to get to somewhere very quickly.
There are supposed to be regulations on minibus fares but I can share personal experiences where some conductors did not see it fit to return my change. For a period of time, there were certain routes where passengers were charged double the fare if they did not want to ‘mek deyself small’ in the evenings. And when you thought you could get away with paying the correct fare when you got to your destination, you had to think again. Such minibuses often collected the fares up front.
Such occurrences disturb and anger me. It tells that in many cases we have become a beaten down people who are just too afraid or tired to stand up for our rights. And those of us who choose to speak up are often verbally abused or looked at like we think we are somehow better that those who do not have a problem with the culture.
The minibus culture speaks about the wider Guyanese society—a society that in many ways has lost its way. We do not fight on a large scale for our rights. Just look at the numbers on the picket lines when it comes to addressing social issues, injustice or dissatisfaction with government. We are afraid to speak or just have an attitude of ‘is nah we problem’ or ‘we can’t do nothing to change it.’ But what is the value in that? How useful and fulfilling is your life if you never stand up for anything?
The dangers of our minibus culture have reached the point of crisis in my opinion. ‘Pit-bull’ buses racing down the road, overtaking, blowing their horns wildly because they can’t get through fast enough are frightening and, frankly, a recipe for disaster. And when an accident does occur and lives are lost there is always an outcry. The days following there might be an increase of police presence on the road, but very soon we go back to the same old and nothing changes.
I am one of those people who would like to see the reformation of public transportation. I have heard many say that ‘it will take bread out of people’s mouths.’ But why can’t we have both? Why should Guyanese have to put up with abuse, lawlessness and disregard for their lives by those minibuses that are on the highway to hell? Don’t we deserve choices? Don’t we deserve better? Absolutely. It is time we demand it. It is time we demand change from the minibus operators who are impatient and arrogant. It is time we demand that the police do not take bribes and give minibus drivers who err a pass because they are putting lives at risk. It is time we demand that common sense return to our roadways. It is time we demand another option.
