Route 42 minibus operators resumed operations yesterday with a new fare structure, a day after a strike left many commuters stranded at the bus park.
And while a statement released by the Industry and Commerce Ministry said that operators met with Minister Manniram Prashad on Wednesday and ceded their demands for an increase, those at the Route 42 bus park yesterday said no such meeting was held. The statement quoted the Minister as saying that there was no increase in bus fares and he urged commuters not to pay any.
“All of that is propaganda… why they didn’t invite the media if they had meeting? They woulda want everybody see they had meeting,” a bus driver exclaimed. “We ain’t got time with the ministry. Is the union we under now,” another operator yelled, referring to the United Minibus Union, which represents some operators now.
The new fare structure was, however, implemented as of yesterday morning. When asked how passengers were reacting to the increase of fares, operators said that the majority were cooperating while a few were still objecting. “We are telling them before they come in the bus how much is the fare so we ain’t really getting a hard time,” a conductor told this newspaper.
Meanwhile, a commuter complained of the difficulty experienced on Wednesday in getting transportation. “I was here for almost two hours before I get a bus,” the woman said. “I can’t object to the new fare,” she added. “I have to get home somehow.”
The statement released by the Ministry said that a group of “concerned” operators, after meeting with the minister, decided to return to work without pressing for an increase. Minister Prashad, it added, will be calling another meeting shortly with the group of bus operators to continue discussions.
Operator William Thomas is quoted in the statement as voicing concerns about the rising prices for vehicle parts and the escalating price of fuel during the meeting. Thomas, it said, also noted that the Ministry had an arrangement with the recognised minibus associations to the effect that fares would not increase unless the price of gasoline goes beyond a $1,000 per gallon.
The statement also noted that the administration recently took the necessary measures to reduce excise tax on diesel from 20 to 15 percent, as a result of upward movement in the world market price for oil and particularly, as a result of increases observed in the price at which diesel is being procured from external suppliers. It has also reduced the gasoline excise tax by one third, from 30 percent to 20 percent so as to cushion the impact on domestic consumers of a significant mounting price movement observed in the world market for oil.
Minister Prashad, according to the statement, met with the recognised Minibus Associations, including President of the General Minibus Association Lylon Withers, President of the Guyana Public Transportation Association Vibert Bell, and President of the Route 32 Minibus Association James Cowsil, in previous weeks and they all assured that fares will not be increased.
