Dear Editor,
While most travelling passengers do not mind paying more for minibuses fare, they do however mind that they travel in comfort; that is, no speeding and no incomprehensible loud music and no loud ‘boom boom’ rude music/songs.
Editor, drivers and conductors of route 44 buses – that ply the East Coast from Mahaica to Georgetown – must know that passengers do mind that they should be travelling in comfort and safety as the law permits.
Every day, and especially in the evening and nights when traffic ranks are off duty, drivers, owners and conductors of the majority of the minibuses along the route 44, “overload” their vehicles to sometimes unbearable “squeeze” conditions; the amount of passengers left in “ckoke up” spaces.
Overloading of minibuses with passengers is a violation of the traffic laws of which many minibus owners and conductors are guilty of, while some Cops turn a blind eye, pretending not to see.
Some conductors, owner and drivers do not understand that passengers deserve to travel in comfort.
While some conductors and some drivers benefit from this situation, one must also remember that some traffic Cops too also benefit from it.
I remember an incident one mid-day some months ago, a traffic Cop stopped a speeding minibus along the East Coast highway at Better Hope. The minibus was overload by four extra passengers.
When the lawman approached the driver, requested his driver’s licence and then asked “(write) right or (left) leff?”
The driver smiled and understood the lingo. He delved his hand into his pocket and gave (left with) the Police man a $1000.
Editor, most passengers travelling in minibuses do not mind the hike in fares, but they do mind to have a comfortable ride fear free.
Yours faithfully,
Rooplall Dudhnath
