Linden hire car drivers protest relocation

Hire car drivers who ply the Linden to Georgetown route on Monday took to the streets in the form of a peaceful protest against a decision taken by the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) to relocate their parking area.

The Council recently made the decision to have the drivers return to the designated park located at the Georgetown bus park which also caters for minibuses.
The drivers have been back and forth between Mackenzie Water Front and the Georgetown bus park for years as they noted that they find the designated park unfavourable.
However, Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell had indicated that the Council is seeking to enhance the riverfront area and reduce the level of congestion, hence, the decision was taken.
The Mayor and members of the Council along with members of the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Police Division recently hosted a consultation with hire car drivers regarding the decision, however, drivers were agitated when they turned up to the riverfront on Sunday to find that a sign prohibiting parking was painted.
On Monday, some of the drivers told this publication that they were unaware of the consultation which was allegedly held while others opined that the consultation was held with taxi drivers who operate within the confines of Linden.
Holding placards, drivers protested outside the office of the LM&TC and refused to operate.
“We come and meet a sign that said ‘No parking for hire cars’…They didn’t inform nobody. We just come to work and see the barricade and we were locked out from the park. They want us to move from the park (at the riverfront), but we tell them no we’re not moving from the park because that is where we are for the longest while and they don’t have a proper alternative for us. That is a municipal bus park. It’s designated as a bus park…”, one of the drivers told this publication as he stated that the Georgetown park is not equipped to facilitate hire cars.
The drivers also stressed that there is a level of “competition” with minibuses plying the same route.
“Every day is a pulling and tugging (with passengers)”, one of the protesters indicated.
According to the drivers, the revenue has increased over the years but there seem to be no benefits. As such, they called on the municipality to have better facilities to accommodate them.
“We does already pay a high revenue. Ok, you putting us in the park, we need proper facilities – toilet, all of these kinds of stuff and none of these things aren’t being met. How can we deal with something like that? The only concern they have is the revenue. They don’t have no other concern,” a driver stressed.
According to the drivers, the riverfront location is ideal, given the close proximity to the market and ferry services.
“From the ferry service, you need transportation. From the market, you need transportation at a convenient location. You taking us from a very convenient location that serving the public and putting us in an inconvenient location. Come on man, that doesn’t make any sense. We want a designated area that we will know that well, this is taxis working here. We don’t want to be in a park with buses that we’re having conflicts with all the time,” a driver related.
One of the protesting drivers also explained that when events are hosted at the Georgetown park, they are forced to relocate to the park which they are presently forbidden from using. This, he noted, is very frustrating and confusing.
“You putting we in deh saying you want order, and when it get activity you ain’t telling we nothing and we got to stay outside. That ain’t make sense. Is bullying. It’s like you telling me I got to do what you say at all times,” a driver noted.
The drivers also called on the Mayor to look into their plight.
“The Mayor need to do something better. She get citizens out here being inconvenienced because of her actions,” a driver stated.
At the time of the protest, representatives of the car and minibus association in Linden met with the Mayor at the Council.
Arrindell noted that during the meeting, concerns were raised and the two sides explored several possibilities to address the situation.
She noted that a number of suggestions were made as it relates to proper utilisation of the park. She said the decision to relocate was not accepted by the Association’s President, however, some drivers have agreed to see how the system will work.
The Mayor further stated that the designated park has seen some developments including security at the entrance and exit.
She reiterated that the decision was made as a means of bringing order to the park systems in the community and to reduce congestion on the main thoroughfares.