While transportation rates across the country have decreased in keeping with current gasoline prices, the fares have remained largely the same in the mining town of Linden, even though the Linden Transportation Association took a decision to decrease rates.
Minibus operators in Linden increased their rates since May 1, 2008, citing high gasoline prices at a time when city buses had not taken a decision to increase rates. After discussions last year with the Georgetown-based minibuses association and the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Manniram Prashad fares returned to the original rate around November in and around the city and in other parts of the country.
And in Parika boat operators agreed to return their fares to the original rates of $1,000 from $1,100.
In an interview recently, Stanley Lancaster, President of the Linden Transportation Association, told this newspaper that a decision was taken two weeks after the city buses had returned to their normal fares of $60 for short drops that the fare structure for Amelia’s Ward, Linden, and the Wismar/Wisroc/One Mile routes would return to $80 from $100. This association covers the short-drop minibuses, those mini-buses plying the Linden/ Georgetown route and attempts are being made to include the hire cars.
“People, they are not complaining,” said the president, speaking about the passengers. But he noted that persons who demand their $20 change after paying $100 would get it.
“We might have to go and talk to these guys,” Lancaster remarked, speaking about those minibus operators who still insist on taking the increased fare. “We have to keep discussions with these guys.” The 32-seater buses are not officially covered under this association, but the president said that the matter was discussed with one owner.
Lancaster indicated that although it was agreed that the fare would return to its former rate, minibus owners still face a number of challenges. For example, he noted that although fuel has decreased from over $900 to just over $500 per gallon, the price for spare parts has increased, but minibuses are being bombarded to drop rates. “Everything should return to its original prices,” he argued, adding that food prices, lubrication oil and spare parts should all decrease.
Wisroc minibus operator Wayne Clarke has decreased his rates from $100 to $80 and $40 for school children, while short drops are $60 from $80.
Clark began taking the lowered rate from passengers since the second week in December after the decision was taken by the association. He said that people were demanding their $20 change. But unlike Clarke, a lot of the minibuses continue to take the $100 fare without being willing to return the $20 change to passengers and they even get into altercations with passengers who demand their change.
One passenger from West Watooka told this newspaper that she does not travel with certain minibuses because the conductors complain when she pays $60 to cross the Wismar/Mackenzie bridge from the minibus park and would demand $100. Minibuses would normally charge the full rate to cross the bridge even if the passenger is disembarking just after crossing.
Another man commented that even as some minibuses demand $100, others are taking $80 and less.
Minibuses plying the Georgetown/Linden route have decreased their fares by $100 to $800 from $900. This newspaper understands, however, that University of Guyana students who travel daily are paying the original price of $700, instead of $800. The association president said that the Georgetown/Linden route buses should also charge the original price.
Meanwhile the 32-seaters have maintained their hiked price of $600 from the previous $500. One 32-seater operator explained that the drivers have had no discussion about lowering the prices. He noted that he knows of no association that governs the 32-seater buses but the drivers would meet and set the fare structure.
Ferry rates to remain
Ferry services in Linden also hiked their rates early last year and the owners have agreed to maintain the increased rates.
Owner Oswald De Younge of De Younge Ferry Service, which takes passengers between Wismar and Mackenzie, said that a discussion concerning the rate structure was held, but it was agreed that the rates would remain the same. Ferry owners had increased rates by $10 to $50.
“We still can’t afford to drop our fare,” reiterated De Younge, speaking on behalf of his ferry service. He said too that the increase was added to the operators’ salary and it is “rough to drop people’s salary after it increase.”
In addition, the operating cost has also increased, the owner explained. For instance, he remarked that wood prices have increased, namely wood to make the “false keel” used to protect the bottom of the boat from being damaged by nails on the landing port. “That’s the part that’s worn steadily,” emphasized De Younge. This newspaper understands that wood used as the “false keel” cost $80 to $100 for a BM from $50. Increased engine cost was also cited as another reason to maintain the increased rates.
