Commuters of some East Coast villages yesterday faced difficulty getting transportation as some minibuses stopped working in a move to increase fares.
The commuters’ transportation woes are set to deepen today as more drivers and conductors are reportedly set to join the strike action.
As early as 6:30 yesterday morning some buses from the Enmore, East Coast Demerara area were seen parked on a tarmac on the public road and the drivers were encouraging others to join them. Stabroek News understands that somebuses going as far as Ann’s Grove have notices informing passengers that from today they will be on strike. According to reports, they want the fare to increase by $20 and since about two weeks ago buses from Victoria and Melanie were impressing on commuters to pay $140 instead of the $120 price. They informed passengers that the price of gas and bus parts are going up and they need to raise the fares but most passengers ignored them.
“A lot of them shine buses from Victoria and Anns Grove went on strike today but the older men took advantage and worked,” one commuter told this newspaper.
Checks at the East Coast car park and at the corner of Camp Street and North Road revealed that many commuters were left stranded up to late yesterday afternoon.
Contacted yesterday Chairman of the United Mini Bus Union Eon Andrews told Stabroek News that the East Coast buses do not come under the association. He said only buses from UG are part of the association. Andrews said he was contacted via phone by some persons on the East Coast who indicated they wanted to take certain action and wanted support but he indicated that he wanted to meet and sit and talk with them. No such meeting has materialized, but Andrews said he would be willing for the drivers to become part of the association.
