Transportation in any country is key to production.
If we accept that transportation is the key to production, then we believe it is the state’s responsibility to see to the proper functioning of this facility.

One of the best and most efficient means of transportation throughout the world is the railway system which, up to today, moves millions of people around the world, especially in the highly industrialized countries.

In Guyana we also had the railroad system along the coastland spanning, Parika, on the East Bank Essequibo, to Vreed-en-Hoop on the West Bank Demerara, and Georgetown to Rosignol, West Berbice.

Our railway system was introduced during colonial days and proved a very effective means of transportation for all strata of society. However the then PNC government in the 1970s did not see the wisdom in maintaining the railway, and promptly closed it down, leaving public transportation in limbo.

The closure of the railway gave rise to the Tata buses, manned by the government, but during the 1980s that mode of public transportation went into oblivion because of mismanagement and poor handling.

The demise of the state-run Tata buses led the way for the introduction of the private bus operators who have since been ruling the roost and public transportation is now heavily dependent on the mini-bus operation.

But while these people have been providing a good service to the people, the operations are loose and the fare structures are on a steady increase, which from time to time had engaged this government’s attention.

This has caused a public outcry for the return of government buses and a recent notice by the Ministry of Public Works and Communication inviting expressions of interest to supply 70 large size buses with a seating capacity of between 48 and 60 persons in two versions; 30 city-type buses with separate entrance and exit with low ground clearance; 40 long distance coach-type buses and 80 medium size buses capable of transporting between 28 and 53 persons, suggests that we may see the return of state-run buses.

If indeed we do see a return of the state-run buses, it will be good for all Guyana. We however wish to advise that proper mechanisms must be put in place for the efficient and smooth functioning of such a service.

Commuters have been clamouring for the return of this service for some time now, and we believe that this will serve to unravel the noose which the private bus owners have around the necks of commuters. Re-introduction of the state-run bus service will lead the way for a more structured transportation system throughout the country, and less dependence on the private mini-bus service, which, although filling the void in public transportation over the years, has also been holding commuters to ransom.

It should be noted that up to recently, with the spiraling fuel prices, mini-bus operators have been constantly demanding increased fares, despite government’s continuing interventions to mitigate the impact of fuel prices.