The fare increases which Timehri minibus drivers called for during a

protest on Monday and yesterday, have not been approved.

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Manniram Prashad said the ministry did not plan to approve any fare increases, unless the price of gasoline reached $1,000 per gallon.

Stabroek News understands that the minister met the drivers at his office yesterday, where he made his position clear.

According to reports, the protest action by the drivers has been called off and the other areas of concerns, which they raised with the minister, are to be addressed.

Over 20 minibus drivers who ply the Georgetown to Timehri route on Monday halted their buses calling for an increase in fares and for schoolchildren to pay adult fares, since the police are clamping down severely on overloading.

The drivers also want the rule preventing them from soliciting passengers at the airport relaxed and they want the zoning to be sorted out since buses who ply the shorter East Bank routes usually infringe on their route.