Dear Editor,
Over the past couple of days I have noticed many passengers on the Georgetown to Industry/UG route being verbally abusive to minibus drivers and conductors about the increase in fares from $80 to $100. I think these passengers are being quite unreasonable, since the increase is a mere $20, which still cannot cover the cost of the expenses that the owners of these buses have to face. I am not and never was an owner of public transportation but I know it is costly to maintain a vehicle. I travel to the University of Guyana every day and to get there I have to take two buses and see nothing wrong with a $20 increase.
The fact is that gasoline prices are increasing and will continue to do so with what is facing the world today. As was reported on CNN, it is expected to reach $200 per barrel, and if I saw correctly it has already reached $998 per gallon in Guyana. There are increases in basic commodities and we have no choice but to pay for gas because we need it. Minibus owners are not only faced with increases in gas, but also for the maintenance of their buses. They too have bills to pay and families to care for, as well as having to pay the operators of these buses. I have heard cries from passengers telling them to be reasonable. Can the minibus owners tell the gas stations to be reasonable when they increase the prices? Can the gas station owners tell their suppliers to be reasonable? Can they tell the motor spares suppliers to be reasonable?
If we as passengers observe carefully, especially the route to Industry/UG, we can see how long most of these buses have to wait to get a full load unless it is the rush hour. Even then they still have to face the competition of the Sophia buses which also carry university students. Be fair. How can the operators of these buses mitigate the increases that are facing them?
Yours faithfully,
Nevica Wray
