Linden mini buses claim unfair competition by new service
By Oscar P Clarke
A row is brewing between the operators of Linden mini buses and Sparta Global Enterprises over what the mini bus drivers claim is unfair competition by the company. The Sparta service, which was introduced in March of this year, offers commuters on the Linden/Georgetown/Linden route the option of travelling in 26-seat Rosa buses, as opposed to the 15-seat mini buses. The operation, according to General Manager, Vibert G Cummings, evolved out of a 44-seat service which the company offered to the Linden Mining Enterprise on contract. Painted in yellow and white and bearing the company's name, the service which originally began with two buses now has five vehicles plying route 43 twice daily at scheduled hourly times. The buses are manned by a two-person crew of driver and conductor, whom it was disclosed, are compelled to operate within the confines of the road traffic regulations, the contravention of which could result in stringent measures being applied by the company apart from those of the traffic authorities. There is no provision for monitoring this, but the company is depending on customers to communicate to representatives of the organisation shortcomings that they observe. The service which commences at 5:30 am has its last scheduled trip leaving the city at 8:30 pm. Its fare is $350 one-way. The fare difference is one that brings charges of inequality from mini bus operators whose price of $500 one-way is causing them to lose much business to Sparta. Operators of mini buses to whom Stabroek News spoke, saw as the low fare as the reason for the popularity of Sparta's operation. Brother Malick Shabza, who is an operator, opined that it was time that the government instituted legislation to regulate the transport system. Shabza pointed to other zones which had the larger buses in operation charging comparable prices with the smaller capacity operators. Mini bus operators, he posited, had to pay steep hire- purchase charges for their vehicles and with "that type of competition" were not going to be able to succeed. This charge was refuted by executives of Sparta, who insisted that they were in no way seeking to compete with mini buses, but to work with them for the betterment of the mining community. However, Charles Hall, a route 43 mini bus owner/operator and an executive of the Linden Mini Bus Association was of the view that Sparta offered "unequal competition to their operations". Hall stated that Sparta should have its own park if it wanted to charge lower fares, noting that some of his regulars have switched to the new service. The official did acknowledge that the switch could have been as a result of the frequent mini bus accidents. Many of them, he said, were "freak accidents" which had impacted negatively on the mini bus trade. This along with the harassment of passengers by touts had caused many travellers to opt for the less fatiguing service. "We are prepared to reduce to $400 if necessary...," Hall said. He added that services which the smaller operator were capable of offering could not be had by the big buses. These included drop off at passengers' homes for those who had "load" and credit to persons who did not have the fare. Drivers and conductors of Sparta are not allowed to solicit passengers. This newspaper also spoke to some commuters to solicit their opinion about the new service. Nigel Milo, who teaches at a city school and travels approximately three times weekly, stated that he preferred to travel with the first available service. Although he had never used the new service owing to his schedule, he mentioned that he had been told about the operation and hoped to use it some time. Marcee Williams, a businesswoman, acknowledged the service's safety and comfort. She mentioned that it was her son who frequents the route who had recommended Sparta. Williams, though preferring to travel with the big bus, was sometimes compelled by her trading activities to use the mini buses which she stated would do her the favour of collecting her wares at the point of purchase and depositing same to her door. She felt that the price being charged by the 15-seaters was a bit on the high side, "they could charge $400 for the trip". Company officials told Stabroek News in an interview at their Linden base that their drivers had to be equipped with at least ten years of experience in operating big buses. Those who satisfy this criteria were sent for a driving test along with sight and physical examination to determine their responsiveness. Other measures implemented included pre-recorded cassettes which inform the passengers of basic data concerning the operator, the service being offered and the duration of the trip. To demonstrate its commitment to passenger satisfaction the company had employed a consultant to work with operators in ensuring that the optimum service was offered. The general manager stressed his commitment to sitting with any association or operator in the country to work out ways of reducing the high road fatality rate. Guyana's population, he said was too small to encourage that level of road carnage. Cummings extended a hand of friendship to the Police Traffic Department, which he said needed assistance in solving the traffic problem.
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