Among the issues that the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the United Minibus Union (UMU) agreed to at their meeting on last Saturday, was an immediate reduction in the fares for Zone 32 (Georgetown to Parika), with all short drops being reduced from $100 to $80; and Georgetown to Parika from $500 to $400.
A release from the ministry said that it was agreed that “minibus transport is essentially a small man’s mode of transportation and every effort must be explored to avoid an imposition of hardship on the commuting public.” It said that while discussions at the meeting covered the minibus situation countrywide, discussions had focused on using the Zone 32 (Georgetown to Parika) and the Zone 31 (Georgetown to Patentia) as pilot target areas.
The union had initially proposed and tabled an interim fare structure but after the