Minibus fares are expected to be reduced from Friday, Minister of Commerce Manniram Prashad has announced.
This decision comes after consultations were held last week between the Ministry and the General Mini Bus Association, following the reduction of the gas prices at some service stations locally.
According to the Minister, it has been confirmed that the fares for short drops around the city will return to what they were prior to them being increased in July. He also suggested that bus fares nationally will return to what they were previously. Prashad said that his Ministry will be monitoring the prices closely to ensure that the consumers benefit from these reductions and to ascertain whether further reductions will be necessary. The Minister also said that further consultations will be held with the minibus associations and that soon a list of official fares will be released.
The decrease follows a call made by President Bharrat Jagdeo and later echoed by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh for transportation costs to be reduced following reduction in gas prices at the GuyOil Service Stations. Last Wednesday prices at these service stations were reduced and gasoline is now being sold for $171 per litre, diesel at $174 per litre and kerosene at $137 per litre. Previously, gasoline was being sold for $215.50, diesel at $218 and kerosene at $197.50 per litre at these service stations. These reductions meant that fuel was priced at less than $1000 per gallon for the first time in several months.
Meanwhile there have been reductions at two of the other leading service stations. When this newspaper visited the Esso Service Station on Vlissengen Road yesterday, fuel prices had just been reduced. Gasoline is now priced at $172.3 per litre and diesel at $175.80 per litre. Previously gasoline and diesel at this service station were being sold at $216.8 and $220 respectively. Kerosene, however, remained at $255 per litre.
Over at the Shell Service station the prices were slightly lower. Gas was priced at $ 171.50 and diesel at $175 per litre. According to reports these prices were reduced from Sunday. Previously gas was sold at $215.90 and diesel at $220.40 per litre for gasoline and diesel respectively.
However, prices at the Texaco Service Station have not been reduced. Gasoline was being sold at $231.20 and diesel at $230.90 per litre. Officials working at the gas station said that the price of gas is expected to decrease when a new shipment of fuel arrives in the country.
