Dear Editor,
I refer to an article on page 2 of the Stabroek News (February 7) captioned ‘No fare hike approved for Route 40, 48 -Ministry.’
The United Minibus Union would like to disassociate itself from an organisation calling itself the Guyana Minibus Association, since we are not aware that such an organisation exists. The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, however, seems to know of the existence of the aforementioned association, since it speaks of the agreement on rises in the price of fuel.
Our union has no agreed position with any ministry or similar organisation, as it relates to fuel determining a rise or fall in minibus fares.
We have been trying ad nauseam, to engage in dialogue with the powers that be, not just to discuss bus fares, as we are not a ‘bus fare’ union. We are prepared to discuss many other areas relating to managing the sector, enhancing the quality of service to commuters, improving the decorum and deportment of our members, eradicating touting and overloading, among other things.
We thank the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, the US Department of Labour, the Ministry of Education, GT&T, Digicel and the Guyana Road Safety Association who have worked with us and have pledged to assist us whenever possible, for the benefit of all stakeholders.
In 2011, our union had supported its members on an agreed price increase that is presently being embraced by commuters. Therefore the statement about an increase at this time gives us cause to believe that the ministry has a penchant for creating confusion and public mischief.
Our union’s Motto is ‘Conciliation not Confusion.’
Yours faithfully,
Eon Andrews
President
United Minibus Union
