Dear Editor,
The minibus association has once again threatened to go on strike to raise their fares, a regular tactic which they use to hold the commuting public to ransom.
When gas prices had gone up, they raised their tariffs, although the government kept reducing the consumption tax on fuel to cushion the increases in the world oil market and so protect the public from increased fares.
What is noticed is that when the fuel prices are reduced, these reductions are never passed on to the consumer and this has happened over the years, with the consumer who uses public transport always being the loser.
The Minister of Trade and Tourism Mr. Manniram Prashad also with responsibility for consumer affairs has said that there is no increase in fares, therefore we should resist any such imposition of fare increases by the minibuses.
As is widely known, the owners and operators of minibuses are among those who are among the tax-evaders, and who must be more accountable and pay their fair share of taxes.
Bus fares, at the present time are high enough and should not be increased.
Yours faithfully,
Susan Chen
