Dear Editor,
It is without question that our public transport system is utter trash! I am a citizen of this country that cannot afford the price of a refurbished car imported from Japan or deal with the expensive burdens of mechanical repairs and maintenance, not to mention the hefty price of private taxi services that fluctuate depending on availability of public transit, weather, traffic and a whole bunch of other factors designed to take advantage of the limited choices the average working class Guyanese have in order to get home. I implore the Government to build a better system that creates impactful, comfortable, clean, safe and reliable services.
The numerous challenges commuters face when using the minibus services is akin to a nightmare; prices vary depending on the time of the day/night, full fares are demanded and capacity is often exceeded with Loud unnecessary music, no air conditioning particularly when loading, windows and seating are poorly maintained with some minibus only operant in dry weather, coupled with reckless speeding plus drivers & conductors consuming alcohol on their trips. Citizens are even forced to remain at the park until a bus operator decides His/her own routes, this is happening in Region 3, bus park 32, where minibus operators deliberately (during peak hours) stop off at Tuschen, forcing commuters who live beyond to Parika to stop short, pay the full fare and then join another bus (if they’re lucky) in order to reach to their destination.
We can make this system more reliable if we develop our own, the technology exists in other parts of the world and can be replicated here in Guyana. For example, The government can Import the TATA Ultra EV Bus (12m)
This has a range of 200km on a single charge, which has seating for 35 + options for wheelchair and disabled individuals, with air-conditioning, The fully electric drivetrain results in significantly lower operating costs compared to conventional diesel buses, It offers 40-50% lower fuel costs compared to diesel, reducing the overall cost-per-kilometer, Being a fully electric vehicle, it eliminates the need for oil changes, filters, and mechanical engine parts, reducing maintenance downtime, The low-floor and low-entry design makes it easier for passengers, including those with disabilities, to board. Charging Stations can be set up in parking zones where citizens have to transit & Solar Energy can be used to power the system + Charge the Buses, opportunities for vendors can be created via a food court which could be constructed near these zones across the country.
If we procure this, then we can plan better. First reduce the Hub & Spoke network for all zones currently parking in the city, create a central bus system for Georgetown alone which connects to other designated zones, that way you can have one streamlined service within Georgetown reducing the need for multiple bus parks all over the city, opening more space and creating a safer atmosphere for commuters. Distribute RFID cards that can be topped up so that people can transit easily, issue the same to school children across the country so that they can be able to travel for free. Develop accurate mapping of the country’s roads and an app which makes it easier for commuters to see the next available bus and the time, citizens and tourists can even use the app to determine which route to take to get to their destination, Develop Permanent Bus stops (Bus Sheds) across the country to reduce the amount of random stops (which is a safety issue).
This is a win for the government because it would tie into their climate sensitive vision, reduce roadside vending by providing opportunities to these same vendors in the parking zones via food courts countrywide and provide economic opportunities for all on an even playing field. It creates jobs and provides an improved service for everyone.
Understandably the flip side of the coin would involve a complete decimation of the existing system, but one must argue that if such a system exists why hasn’t it improved? What we have is a Union that is only active in its representation when Drivers are disenfranchised, particularly for wanting higher fares, with no effort to advocate for improved services that benefit the commuters.
Better must be done and it is my hope that the government can take up this mantle.