Comments on: Commerce minister announces drop in minibus fares

By: GTRL

GTRL — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:42:46 +0000

Stabroek Market Sq. appears too small, but it has to be a central location….and you know what…buses would only be allowed on certain roads to the terminal, not all over the place to drop off and pick up. People have to give some things up for the benefit of others. If those chaps in Guyana decide to work together, they can do it. Yes, they would argue, why put the terminal here, why put the terminal there….and this is how they would get nowhere.
The trains never used to take people into the center of the city, the big busses never did. However, I know the mini bus drivers would all want a terminal built right where they currently operate from. They should see how it is done in other countries.
RL

By: Kaieteur Gold

Kaieteur Gold — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:42:19 +0000

So, when are the “big” buses coming???

By: BLKCHINEY

BLKCHINEY — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:33:18 +0000

Good idea, I am sure this has already been considered, but like every thing else the problem is where to site the terminal and who will manage it.
If there can’t be agreement on who is responsible for the Stabroek Market Square, can’t see agreement on a terminal any time in the future.Of course I would like to be proven wrong….

By: Sarkar

Sarkar — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:56:13 +0000

Well… Isn’t this dandy??? Minister announces drop in fares and Grant and Giddings still fighting over who can represent the GPTA. UMU chairman not there. Then GMBA rep calling for a floating fare. I do believe that all the members of the executive should be there to represent the various associations. There should be no doubt that this negotiation/talks must be democratic with full representation from both sides before a decision is made. This haphazard decision will only end in in-fighting and confusion. The main crunch here seems to be gas prices. How are they going to address fluctuations in prices? Will the public see fares fluctuating with gas prices?
When minibus operators started their trade they knew about prices for spares. Are they savvy enough to plan ahead for increases in the price of spares? Do we see fluctuations in fares according to fluctuations in price of spares too?
It is good that minibus operators are using their influence to call for a drop in utility prices. Now for some wishful thinking…. Will other associations join them?? Will the business class approach the government for concessions in terms of having sales where they can advertise and pass on a reduction in VAT to consumers?

By: SOESDYKE

SOESDYKE — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:25:38 +0000

The drop in fare is good, or is it. We all know some (NOT ALL) MINI BUS owners are greedy. So this is what they will do, drive as fast as possible. To make back there money. And we all know, what this could lead to. More carnage on the roads. I hope the traffic cops, will be doing there jobs.

By: ayinde

ayinde — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:53:09 +0000

I am happy to hear about this drop in bus fare, but please insist that it does take place, because many times the law is not reinforce .Can we also see a drop in food prices and the value added taxes. Public Servants in Guyana are paying the most taxes in the region33 and third plus 16 %. Remember the Minin Bus owners have to shop too.

By: mackydog

mackydog — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:31:54 +0000

Good move by the Minister, it is fair to the travelling public and vehicle owners too. I hope to see that the price of foodstuff and other commodities will come down too since the bus fare drop was because of the fuel price drop worldwide.

But what I can’t understand is why SN finds it necessary to state “not clear if everyone will comply”. This, to me, makes the Minister appear as a weak lawmaker and it’s ok to disrespect him. In the US (and I’m positive around the world) when a lawmaker passes a law it is meant to be carried out BY EVERYONE.
For those who doesn’t comply with the law, let the police take away their fitness licence and a hefty fine. These minibus drivers and owners have to realise that adhering to the new prices is helping the very people that keeps them in business, NOT THE GOVERNMENT.

If yuh don’t like it…park yuh bus.

By: Sonny

Sonny — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:36:47 +0000

Raymond, this system is in place all over the Caribbean and Central America, and the people follow it. One solution is to build something like a loading terminal with loading docks for various destinations, similar to The Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.
Now certainly a terminal cannot be created with loading docks for all destinations. I would say do not include the shorter destinations such as South, Kitty, Hospitals and so on. However, if we are to think ahead, a loading dock is certainly needed for people traveling from Georgetown to far off locations. Think about it, if a man wants to travel from Parika to Springlands with a big bag, he would have to drop off by the Stabroek Market, then drag his bag down the streets to the Berbice Park. In the coming years, Guyana would certainly see the need for a central point of loading and dropping off. Busses would be departing for destinations such as Lethem, Paramaribo, Boa Vista, Parika and so on; you just cannot have people standing all over the streets with bags and busses circling the blocks with touts and conductors running after people. A bus terminal can have phone boots, food courts, a few benches and so on…..of course a small fee that busses would be required to pay. There would be no touts as they would be locked out, and they have to find real jobs. Introduce bigger busses.
Red Lion
http://www.guyanabeer.com

By: MR.WEST BANK

MR.WEST BANK — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:31:26 +0000

This is very good news for travelers around the country
that used the minibus.

Christman is right around the corner Guyanese deserve a
drop in Value Added Tax (VAT), poor people need it, we were
told that vat is just a trial run, but it seems is if vat is in for marthon
Mr President.

By: Sonny

Sonny — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:58:16 +0000

The Authorities can say what they want, pass whatever law they please to pass, the bottom line is the Guyanese people and the mechanism to enforce the laws.
True Guyanese, if you think that your letter is worth publishing, you can email the Editor and send your mail as an attachment. I know how you feel, but my understanding is that they get a lot of mails. I did that once.
I say this with the proposed legislation to protect women in mind.
Red Lion
http://www.guyanabeer.com

By: Raymond Persaud

Raymond Persaud — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:56:39 +0000

One way of reducing fares is to remove the touts and introduce a turn system. This would remove the touts costs. \i know that some parks has a turn system so what is preventing this to be set up at all parks…..

By: true guyanese

true guyanese — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:38:17 +0000

stabroek news why is it every time i write a comment it never publish and other people are allowed to

By: true guyanese

true guyanese — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:36:58 +0000

is not time to recommend….is time to act…..and do what ever it takes to enfore it…by take away road service licence ,,,etc,,,etc…

By: amen-ra

amen-ra — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:23:55 +0000

This is some good news of the fare reduction, this would make the holiday a little stress free for travellers.

By: true guyanese

true guyanese — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:17:15 +0000

if they fail to drop thr fare take away there road service licence…. you as the minister set the rules they go by it ….or do what ever it takes to enforce it…..

By: ramsammy latchana

ramsammy latchana — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:49:42 +0000

at this stage the minister can only recommend, this issue like the chicken saga has gone beyond the minister power.we will wait and see what happens

By: Arnold

Arnold — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:36:29 +0000

Simply those that fail to comply, would have to pay the consequences,fines etc,
with a consumer hot line the defaulters would soon be known!!