Minibus operators plan to increase their fares by $20 as of Monday, owing to a hike in the prices of spare parts and gasoline.
Route 48 bus driver Fitzroy Jaune yesterday announced that people travelling to Sophia will be asked to pay $100 instead of $80. “Bus parts, gas and everything increase.
Those who refuse will have to come to grips… all of us are facing the economic hitman! We not trying to pressure anyone but we gotta live too,” he said.
Route 44 buses, travelling to Victoria, are seeking a $40 increase to their current $120 fee. One bus operator said that it didn’t seem sensible to travel 18 miles at that price.
Another operator of this route, stopping at Plaisance, said he is not asking for an increase from Georgetown to Plaisance but for short drops instead. “I just asking for a $20 extra for short drops …not looking for anything more,” the man said.
Ramdeo Deodat, who owns a Route 45 bus, expressed concerns about the profits made by bus operators. “All de prices going up. People can’t keep working for $60, we need $20 more. We end up earning less after maintenance for the bus,” he said.
Jaikram Narine, working Route 42, said “This is we own. It private! They can’t tell we how to run we show cause we can’t tell them how to run they show.
I want Manniram [Minister of Commerce Manniram Prashad] to come out here and talk to we… Leh he take one of these bus and run it and see fuh he self,” the enraged man firmly stated.
Meanwhile, at the South Ruimveldt bus park, conductors were in an uproar, yelling “Fares gotta raise!”
The travelling public now has no choice but to cope with raised prices. One Sophia resident, Patricia Blair, said she is already paying $100 and does not intend to pay anything more.
Philecia Pierre, who travels to the Soesdyke Linden Highway, said she usually pays $300 to Georgetown and will have no other choice but to pay what is asked of her.
Bus operators are not alone in their fight for increased fares. Diamond car operators also told this newspaper that they have not yet raised their fares but plan on doing so.
