Letter: Unreasonable public transportation operators

Dear Editor,

There is a troubling and well-known situation within Guyana’s public transportation sector that can only be described as a dereliction of duty by the relevant authorities. Their persistent inaction and apparent indifference have allowed the widespread overcharging of passengers to become entrenched. On the 42 and 32 bus routes—particularly during the morning and afternoon rush hours—operators routinely demand $1,000 from passengers traveling between Timehri and Georgetown, despite the legally approved fare being $260.

The “short drop” fare, officially set at $100, is frequently increased to $200. Over on the West Demerara corridor, operators plying the Wales to Vreed-en-Hoop route have unilaterally raised the fare from $200 to $300, with some demanding as much as $500.

The situation on the waterways is no better. Boat operators and bowmen on the Georgetown to Vreed-en-Hoop route often verbally abuse passengers while illegally charging above the approved fare of $100, with some demanding up to $500.

MARAD, the Police Traffic Department, the United Minibus Union, and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce routinely advise passengers to report these violations. While such advice might be reasonable if the abuses were isolated, this is no longer the case. These practices have become the norm and almost every bus and boat now demands illegal fares—often with intimidation or threats of violence. This is no longer a matter that can be addressed by relying on individual passengers to report misconduct.

There is an urgent need for the Guyana Police Force to deploy transit law-enforcement officers on buses and boats daily, in plain clothing. Once an operator is found guilty of price gouging or intimidation, immediate action should follow: arrest, suspension of licence, and appropriate legal penalties.

This undermines Guyana’s efforts to promote tourism and, more critically, imposes an unreasonable burden on schoolchildren, workers, and the wider public who rely on affordable transportation.

Operators who break the law should be arrested, placed in custody, have their vehicles impounded, and be brought before the courts. Any increase in public transportation fares must follow the proper legal procedures—procedures that exist to protect commuters.

Sincerely,
M. Sankar