The Minister has no authority to set minibus fares

BY Staff
Published: November 18, 2008 in Letters

Dear Editor,
As much as I welcome the announcement by the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad that there will be a reduction in minibus fares, he really has no authority over what the minibus fares should be. The method by which this reduction has been brought about has serious repercussions for commuters and minibus drivers and conductors. We must understand that the decision the Minister has taken amounts to price control. In essence, this fare structure will be forced on to those who do not wish to accept it.

The police will now have their hands full with complaints from commuters who will be cheated by some conductors who will not return the right change when passengers are disembarking. Commuters might be required to pay their fares upon entering some buses, and arguments may ensue as to what they have to pay.

It is now the responsibility of the representatives of the various minibus associations to ensure that their members comply. However there is little or nothing that the authorities can do if minibuses fail to comply.
Yours faithfully,
K Persaud

Comments

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9 Comments

badlall says:

November 18, 2008 at 7:30 am

he is right only the head of state can intervene in the setting of mini bus fares !!!!!!!

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Macushi Tiwama says:

November 18, 2008 at 7:46 am

How about Transport dept and traffic dept (Gpf) make sure that all mini buse operators have a list of reduced fares displayed in their buses. Failing to do will be charged.

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yvette munroe says:

November 18, 2008 at 8:02 am

what is Minister Maniram portfolio, the Minibus association has been bent on disobeying the ministers words to reduce the fares, they are operating like they running things themselves and no body must not sanction in whatever they do. but they need some heavy mannersing. the government has to decide on the big buses that the trasnport and harbours department had years ago. and until the goverment provides transportation of there own to the public these minibus owners and conductors as well as drivers will continue to wreck havoc on communters.

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Wiffy says:

November 18, 2008 at 9:33 am

I’m sorry - what is wrong with price control? These minibus owners/associations were allowed to get way out of hand. The government needs to get some control over this industry.

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Paul Rodman says:

November 18, 2008 at 10:21 am

For all those who thought that Socialism was dead. The present circumstances warrants that. We need to have some bit of price controls in this place or else the people are doomed and once they are, so too are the governments

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Ginger56 says:

November 18, 2008 at 11:27 am

The government needs to take the upper hand in the matter and institute a law where the minibus association must abide by their rule or nothing else.

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r sdasai says:

November 18, 2008 at 5:57 pm

You all:
I must have missed tha part of the article which reported that the Minister has fixed the fares. I recall that an agreement with the MiniAssoc was reached regarding the setting of fares. Someone please verify this.

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Rubbers says:

November 19, 2008 at 10:26 am

I propose that the minibus operators be hit with new fines namely:-
1 SUSPEND THE ROAD SERVICE LICENCE(FOR OWNERS)
2 FINE THE CONDUCTOR $3000.00(after two infractions revoke the conductor licence.
This system will work,in addition,create a fund for the children of the joint service
personnels who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty,about 20% from all fines collected the rest can be put to the old age pension fund…THE DISRESPECT FOR CITIZENS AS A WHOLE WOULD STOP…DOES ANYONE DISAGREE.

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Fulano de Tal 174.151.159.16 not found says:

November 19, 2008 at 11:04 am

I guess this confirms we do not have an administration but a madministration since it seems those in their high offices have “NO AUTHORITY” to do anything.

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