Taken for a ride by PTSC

THE EDITOR: My arm was still in the sling that the doctor had put me in and I was still walking with a limp after my accident. On December 1 I invited a friend to ride a PTSC bus with me to Curepe. An attendant was at the door. The sign read “Arima Limited.” I presented the tickets and enquired whether the bus stops in Curepe. The driver did not respond, but the attendant who took the tickets said it did.

When we reached Curepe, I rang the bell, just to make sure. The bus did not stop. I rang again. Again, no response, the driver continuing to the traffic signal which was now red. When he stopped, I requested to disembark. He replied that the bus does not stop to let people out, only to pick up.

At the next red light I pleaded once more to be let out. I pointed out that I asked before boarding if the bust stops in Curepe and that the sign on the bus reads “Limited.” He again refused, this time saying that it is not his job to answer me and that it is not his job to change the sign.

I called PTSC to complain but was not successful, so I asked to be connected to Hans-Erich Schulz, the general manager (a really nice guy). The person said, "We doh have enybody hyere name so." Click!

I therefore went in to the PTSC office to file a complaint. After three good mornings the person I spoke to just continued to stare at me. When I told her my complaint, she responded, “You doh know wat you talkin’ about, we stop dat bus two years now.”

I asked where I could lodge a complaint. She told me to go to the office at the eastern end. There is no office there. The complaints box sits just outside her office, but it was not visible from where I stood.

I have not taken a PTSC bus since.

RAWLE RAMJAG

via e-mail