A total of 11 persons were arrested on Thursday for soliciting passengers and are expected to make their court appearance in the new week.
On Friday, Police said ranks of the Traffic Office Brickdam, Georgetown, conducted an exercise to eradicate touts around the various minibus parks of Georgetown, and the 11 persons were arrested.
Over the years, touts have taken up positions at several car and minibus parks in the city, soliciting passengers for drivers. Many young adults have made it their daily profession so as to earn some form of income.
Even though it is a means to earn income for many, it is illegal within the constraint of Guyana’s laws and is often viewed as a public nuisance.
Scores of passengers would have complained bitterly about this phenomenon, claiming that their bags are being pulled and tugged as they approach the various parks.
The touts at the Brickdam Police Station on Thursday
They are even allegations of persons being grabbed and forced into buses they do not travel in.
Touts would work around the clock – until most buses stop operating.
The men would equip themselves with caps and umbrellas to shield themselves against the weather, standing at strategic locations of the bus parks awaiting the arrival of passengers to fill incoming buses.
In some instances, touts only load buses that they are familiar with as the drivers would pay them after.
