Fuel prices have been reduced beginning February 1, but some minibus drivers say the reduction is not significant enough and are calling for an increase in fares.
The reduction of local fuel prices was announced by Minister of Finance Winston Jordan during last Friday’s budget presentation. The price of gasoline has been reduced from $190 to $170 per litre. Diesel has been dropped from $161 to $150 a litre and kerosene is now $90, down from $120 per litre.
Based on observations made by this publication, the reduction of the fuel prices around the city has already taken effect at the GuyOil, Rubis and Shell gas stations. Checks at the GuyOil gas station on Regent Street, Rubis on Mandela Avenue and Shell on Vlissengen Road saw the new prices on display.
However, according to some drivers, the reduction is not enough and they want fares increased from $60 to $80. This was the view of several drivers who operate the ‘short drop’ route from Georgetown to Grove, East Bank Demerara.
One driver explained that at present, the fare for that specific route was already low when compared with those in other zones. He went on to say, “Gas price dropping by $20 ain’t mean nothing. It ain’t impacting us in anyway right now.”
Another driver said he had been anticipating a larger reduction in fuel price considering the fact that international prices have dropped. “I think that the drop takes no effect on us drivers at this moment because the roads are still untidy in the sense that the roads are not in the best condition and the fact that we have to deal with so much traffic congestion in the mornings and afternoons,” he said.
He noted that as a result of the traffic congestion and the stop and start movement of their vehicles, drivers find themselves having to visit the gas stations even more often.
Another driver said while she was happy that there has been a reduction in the fuel price, it should have been further reduced to actually offer relief to drivers.
“It still hurts because our fare is only $60. We were expecting a bigger reduction and the fact that some people are travelling from Georgetown to as far as Providence and we get only $60 is really unfair,” she lamented.
This was further emphasized by another driver, who stated that even with the fare being $60, drivers often find themselves having to compromise with schoolchildren who pay less than the actual fare.
“We compromise, because sometimes we still have school children giving us $20 or $40 and we can’t turn them down. But we are burning more gas due to the fact that every morning and afternoon we have to deal with the heavy traffic,” he said.
The poor condition of the roads was highlighted by other drivers who explained that when they encounter mechanical problems, they are left to source spare parts from importers who have not signalled any intention of offering a reduction on the prices.
“I feel that given that these importers of spare parts are not giving us any reductions; the price [of fuel] is still too high for us to really benefit from a reduction,” one man related.
“But I rather they have a further reduction in gas prices than us making a fare increase,” he added.
