Report minibus overpricing, loud music, touts directly to police – Traffic Chief to commuters

– as individuals use social media to air their frustrations instead

Commuters across Guyana have recently been experiencing a surge in minibus fares, with drivers charging passengers more than the standard rates. But instead of officially reporting these incidents, many affected commuters have taken to social media to voice their frustrations.

In response to this development, Senior Police Superintendent Mahendra Singh, Guyana’s Traffic Chief, is urging the public to cease relying solely on social media and instead report these issues directly to the police at the nearest police station.
In appealing to the public during a recent interview, Singh emphasized that law enforcement officials can do only so much without formal complaints being in their possession.
“If individuals choose to express their concerns on social media rather than reporting directly to the police, it hinders our ability to respond effectively. While we continue to provide traffic education, without formal reports, we have no way of identifying the specific locations, drivers, or buses involved,” he advised.
Also highlighting the recurring issue of loud music being played by minibus operators, the Traffic Chief noted that when people complain on social media instead of informing law enforcement, offenders often evade the consequences of their actions by lowering the volume before police arrive.
“There are frequent complaints about excessive noise from public transportation. However, when officers respond to these reports, the situation has often changed by the time they arrive. In many cases, the music is either turned off completely or played at an acceptable level, making enforcement difficult. If individuals report these issues in real-time to the police, rather than posting about them online, we would have a better chance of catching constant offenders,” he explained.
Further, he emphasized that without official complaints from the public, the police have no solid basis on which to enforce compliance with the law. However, with proper reports, authorities can take necessary action against non-compliant minibus drivers.
“To take action, we require verifiable evidence. When officers identify a breach of regulations, we follow a structured process. This includes seizing equipment and prosecuting offenders where necessary. However, if cases are only discussed on social media, we are unable to investigate properly or present substantial evidence in court,” Singh stressed.
Highlighting the legal requirements for enforcement, particularly in cases brought before the court, the Traffic Chief said, “Legal proceedings require proper documentation and evidence. Social media posts, while useful in raising awareness, do not constitute formal complaints. We encourage the public to engage with law enforcement through the appropriate channels (in order) to ensure that their concerns are addressed effectively.”
Lamenting that many individuals experience these issues but are often reluctant to report them, the Traffic Chief declared, “We frequently observe that individuals affected by these infractions choose not to formally report them. However, the appropriate course of action is to visit the nearest police station and file an official complaint. Additionally, it is important to note that the last amendment to the fare structure was approved years ago, and operators are expected to adhere to these regulations.”
Addressing the issue of touts harassing commuters, the Traffic Chief emphasized that this is another area in which the lack of reporting has hampered police intervention.
“We continue to receive reports of individuals being harassed by touts, or being overcharged for transportation. However, the police can only act when provided with concrete information and first-hand accounts from affected individuals. Without this, enforcement efforts are limited,” he explained.
The Guyana Police force had revealed that during the second week of January 2025, there would be a clampdown on minibus touts. The Traffic Department had relayed that efforts would be intensified to address the issue of minibus touts operating at various minibus parks to solicit passengers for buses.