Dear Editor,
Back in April (and even before that the sentiments were expressed many times), a letter writer, in utter disgust, stated that “I don’t believe I’ve met a single person who hasn’t had an issue with the mini-bus culture in Guyana.” This is an understatement. But the irony is that the Governments, since time immemorial, have ignored this daily minibus horror that is rapidly plummeting to one of utter anarchy, and as we all know, this continues to spell ‘danger’ for the majority of us.
Minister Juan Edghill, as recent as October of this year, ‘mouthed’ that “The culture of minibuses flouting traffic laws while operating on Guyana’s roadways must come to an end, and authorities have signalled their intention to clamp down on such practices.” In a wanton waste of words, he promised, like so many others on far too many occasions, that “We have to work with the minibuses. Along the road, we have designated bus stops; we have to start enforcing it. Guyana is not a country that lacks laws, our problem is in the enforcement of those laws… We have to stop the culture of people wanting to stop right in front of their houses. Minibuses must only stop at designated bus stops.”
Take another one. Back in January of this year, the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) ‘vainly’ announced its intention to conduct countrywide exercises aimed at clamping down on “untidy” minibus drivers and conductors. The word was that “Some of these minibus drivers, their attire is atrocious. If you go to a bus, you notice some of the drivers, young men, with their boxers exposed, they have on a t-shirt with lewd writing and all of that, and they are offering a service to members of the public.” A real laugh this is. Why?
Well for one, these ‘killer machines’ always drive way above the stipulated speed limit, and they traverse right across so many police stations. They stop randomly, even overtaking and then cutting across to latch on to a passenger. Add to this thing like illegally loud music, conductors and drivers with a Guinness in hand, and the list goes on and on. Look at the result (two headlines below) and all because of Governmental inertia, incompetence and semi-wittedness.
Two dead, several injured following motor pickup vehicle-minibus collision;
Holidaying Canada-based man dies after being struck by bus.
In Francis Quamina Farrier’s “The GOOD LIFE eluding Mini Bus Passen-gers” he stated that “Over Ten Thousand Guyanese have lost their lives on the roads of Guyana since Independence in 1966. This figure is in a country with less than a million in population and mini buses have made a significant contribution to that staggering total. Those killed include a Minister of Government, a Police Commissioner, two teenage daughters of a Prime Minister, two boxing champions, a chief librarian, and a foreign diplomat.” Alas? The madness, as he rightfully termed it, continues unchecked.
I recall in 2019, a vehicle in which then Police Commissioner Leslie James was a passenger, was struck by another vehicle. Fortunately, the Commissioner was not injured, yet nothing was done and the ‘Culture of Death on Guyana’s Road-ways’ continues with gathering momentum.
Let me inform this Government (as though there is no awareness) that the public’s safety and well-being are your responsibilities. Be it known unto you that a proper public transportation system benefits communities financially, reduces air pollution, increases fuel efficiency, reduces traffic congestion, saves money, increases mobility and frees up time. But the systems and infrastructural elements must be in place. Overall, public transportation should be safer, as it is the key to development. It fosters wealth, equality and well-being and is crucial to any nation, even more so for less-developed countries like Guyana. In poorer countries (like Guyana), where most people don’t own a car, improving public transport is essential to economic growth and good quality of life. Guyana scores zero here. Public transportation is a menace, and no serious measures seem to be in place to curb the absolute mini-bus lawlessness.
Think of Trinidad and Tobago. There the Public Transport Service Corporation operates bus routes that serve Trinidad’s major cities. However, the buses follow ‘set routes’ and ‘specific lanes.’ Also, travelers can also take the ‘route’ taxis (taxicabs that follow a specific route) available on both islands. Tickets are available at most bus terminals. Keep in mind that drivers don’t accept cash or credit cards. Guyana is lost. It will never get remotely close to this system of law and order. The daily rat race is evident every morning and evening in spite of the presence of the police on the road.
Just a few days ago, I had to rush to the side of the road, as the siren sounded and for what purpose? The police pick-up was in a hurry to get gas. Serious!
The word is always ““We cannot continue with that!” Government is right. The phenomenon of ‘road chaos’ is not just continuing; it is getting worse. It is just like what obtains with ‘noise pollution,’ littering,’ and ‘roadside vending.’ The best bet is to ‘get out of Guyana. ‘Roadwise’ people will be safer. President Irfaan Ali and his AG know the reality, but they are far removed; they live and observe from a distance.
Yours truly,
Deodat Singh
