KNUST Bus Service: A Disservice To Students And Limitation To Students Economic Freedom

PHOTO Credit: Antu Olonboaso Emmanuel

When there are interventions or direct engagement by authority or government, often leads to chaos in the market. Although, policy makers operate with assumption that they can provide a service for all persons, Economists think otherwise, because they know that resources are scarce and limited. It is always better to allow, the invisible hand of demand and supply to operate in and allocate resources and services to where it’s needed.

One of the chaos that is doing students a disservice is the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST) Bus Service that is running recently on campus. Many will applaud the innovation only when they perceive that its a free service even though every student has paid for, therefore not making it free. The difference is that the burden of payment was transferred to our parents in a form of additional charges in the school fees. However, other may feel it in a form of a reduction in their fund for up keep taken from parent.

HOW IS THE KNUST BUS SERVICE A DISSERVICE TO STUDENTS?

It is a system that is posing a limitation to economic freedom and individual choice.Previously, students pay an amount of Gh₵0.70 pesewas to access shuttle transport service. The interesting thing was that, you only pay when you needed the service of a shuttle. With the Knust Bus Service you have already paid at source, whether you need the service or not. Each student is paying around Gh₵70.0 or more. Having paid, your money is chasing after the service and not the service after your money. Even when the service is terrible like this write up will reveal, you have no choice because you have paid. You have no control over what you want to patronise with your own money hence limitation to economic freedom and preferences.

The unprecedented Queue and Long waiting time for the buses.

Early, it was made clear, that resources are scarce that is where few buses (about 20) are transporting the entire student population of over 41000. Now, everyone has paid for a service that cannot be there for us at all times and especially when we need it most. There is always chaos when authourity interfere with the market forces. I become amazed when i see the queue around shuttle area. All those who would have kept their Ghs 0.70 previously now have more incentive to board the bus. Since buses are not enough, now we have long waiting time to access these buses. To add insult to injury, when a bus finally arrives to service the waiting queue, student rash to be on board. The fittest get a seat. This situation was not happening in the previous system where only those who need the shuttle service pays for it. This is Ghana, we appreciate disaster before progress. We are waiting for a student to get hurt in the rash to board the bus before, it will be considered as a problem in our discourse.

In addition to the disservice, then come students standing in the buses. We have paid good money to stand in a KNUST bus service. Earlier, when students pay Ghs0.70, there was no incident to stand in the bus. Every bus has a carrying capacity. This even breaks the law in broad day light. Some students avoid standing in the buses by walking even though they have paid for.

Also, I observed a driver in of one of the buses, preventing a student from boarding the bus, because the bus was full. I didn't blame the driver too, because his car has a specific capacity of persons to carry. On 18^th October, 2017 at around 1pm, there was an accident at the main administration roundabout involving a young man who fell from the bus. Yes, he fell because he was standing on the footsteps close to the bus door. Students packed themselves in the bus to the extent that the gate cannot be closed. This is the level of disservice students are getting from a bus service we have humbly paid for. Another incident that is awaiting disaster before progress.

At the University Hall, there is no stopping point even though the buses ride along the immediate road infront of the Hall. One would have to alight at Brunei Shuttle rank and walk back to the University Hall (Katanga). Those who see the situation to be frustrating do not board the bus in the first place.

THE DOUBLE AND TRIPLE PAYMENT.
Although the KNUST bus system is supposed to replace the private shuttle, interestingly some private shuttles are still rendering their service on campus. This is because, the private shuttle owners have found a market niche for the chaos authority have created in the market. Students who still patronise their services are paying double for the same service. To make things clearer, first from the direct billing of the student, and second from voluntary payment from the student for the services of private shuttles due to delay or disservice rendered by the KNUST BUS SERVICE. Students who have shuttle services as part of their hostel facilities are making triple payment for the same service. This is a clear duplication of payment on the path of students with no one to speak for us.

Personally, I pray the SRC, Dean of Student and National Parliament to step in by way of removing the KNUST Bus service from the school fees component.

THE POWERFUL DRIVERS
It may interest you to know but it’s very true, that the system that is supposed to service students has made us servant and the drivers powerful. Some bus drivers at certain times, dictate where they want to drive the bus to thereby indirectly informing students to walk, or board private shuttles. This menace is often around 12pm, some drivers dictate that they are only moving to Brunei and will not be heading to the commercial area. Myself I have been a victim to such a situation leaving students hoping to alight at Independence, Queens, Republic Hall etc. stranded at the faculty shuttle area.

ONCE THERE IS CHAOS IN THE MARKET, ABNORMALITY FOLLOWS.

Some studentswill board the bus and refuse to get down from the bus. In an Interview of some bus drivers by focus FM, campus base radio confirms this. Some students heading to the commercial can board the bus at Brunei to be taken to KNUST Business school and back to the commercial area. This make me understand Aristotle when said “what is common to many is least taken care of, for all men have greater regard for what is their own than what they possess in common with others”. If students who need the service of shuttle pay as and when they need it this abnormality will never occur.

RECOMMENDATION
The principles individual economic choice must be allowed to operate in the transport service, where students who need shuttle service pays for it as and when they need it. The transport service should be allowed to compete and students having the right to make their own economic decision. Competition brings innovations and better service to individuals.

Note: The article, pictures and analysis is with respect to students on campus. For students who stay off campus the least said about them the better, the KNUST bus system is more than terrible on their path.