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Public Transport: Why bus drivers pick-up passengers along the road .


The Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Ngalle Bibehe recently withdrew the driver’s license of a driver of “Binam” travel agency, alongside a five-year ban , following an armed robbery incident in the bus on October 26th .

He was blamed for picking up passengers along the road in defiance of travel regulations .
But he is not an isolated case; bus drivers have been known over the years for picking up passengers along the road, with some overloading their buses.
Picking up passengers along the road is a practice that may not die soon.
Most drivers say poor working conditions forces them to seek other means of income . Mr. Sebastien is one of them .
” Drivers are poorly paid . Picking up passengers along the road is one of the few opportunities that helps us get extra cash. Most drivers earn between 36-40 thousand, and its irregular. Sometimes, we go for up to 4 months without salaries. How do we cope with our families? When a driver sees the chance to get some money, he does so without a second thought”. 

Although passengers frown at the practice, some drivers say it is equally beneficial to the transport agency and the passengers.
“If the bus has vacant seats , it’s normal for the driver to pick up passengers along the way. He is helping most passengers who live in villages and can’t board a vehicle to the town to acquire a ticket at the agency. Picking up passengers helps reduce running cost, given the high cost of petrol. However, drivers should not overload their buses” says Isaac Luther ,  bus driver.

The driver however adds that drivers should not abusively pick up passengers along the way. He says they  should know when to stop even if there are still vacant seats in the bus.
Edouard djontu , a cashier at a transport agency , believes the practice will always thrive, but should be moderated by drivers themselves. He is also of the opinion that the transport sector will witness less disorder if the state improves security along the way and provides good roads.
Although drivers agree that there are valid reasons for the practice , they caution themselves against overloading.
Source: www.crtv.cm
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