Although fuel prices continue to slide at the different service stations, it is unlikely that there will be any further reductions in bus fares any time soon.
Within the last week, the price for gasoline has dropped considerably, following an earlier decrease in prices which took place in October/November. Last Wednesday, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh announced that the price of fuel at the GuyOil service station would be reduced even further from when it dropped in October.
This means that within the last two months the price for gas has moved from $215.50 per litre, to $171 per litre to its present price of $122.00 per litre. Diesel on the other hand has dropped from $218 per litre to $174 to $153.00 while kerosene oil has decreased from $197.50 to $137 to its current cost of $105.00 per litre.
Yesterday, visits by Stabroek News to two of the other leading service stations in the country, revealed that the price of fuel has also dropped at these stations. At the Esso Service Station on Vlissengen Road, gas was being sold at $122.80, diesel at 154.60 while kerosene remained at $255.20 per litre. Previously, the prices were $172.30, $175.80 for gasoline and diesel respectively, after they had been reduced from $216.80 for a litre of gas and $220 per litre for diesel.
Shell Service Station on Vlissengen is currently selling gas at $122.50 per litre (dropping from $ $171.50) while the price for diesel remains at $175.00. Prior to the reduction in November, the price for gas and diesel was $215.90 and $220.40 per litre respectively.
At the Texaco Service Station, prices remained at $172.50 for a litre of gas and at $178.50 for a similar quantity of diesel. However, prices at this station are expected to drop as well.
On November, 15th, Com-merce Minister Manniram Prashad had announced the reduction in fares, following discussions with representatives from several minibus associations. Under this agreement, the fares for most routes returned to what they were before they were increased in July.
Following the latest drop in prices, Prashad has called for mini-bus operators to decrease their fares even further.
However, when this newspaper contacted some of the heads of the different minibus systems, they said although they welcomed the decrease in prices this would not automatically mean to a reduction of prices.
When Stabroek News contacted the President of the General Mini Bus Association (GMBA) Lylon Weithers, he said that a “further reduction in fares is not imminent.” He said that he has not been approached by the minister as yet, but said that even if approached his body will not agree to a further drop in fares.
Eon Andrews, the Chairman of the General Minibus Union, which represents Route 45 buses and some buses from Routes 31 and 32, also said that the union was not considering reducing fares. He added before such a decision could be made, he would have to meet with the Minister to discuss the grounds on which a decrease in fares was justified. He said what the Minister and other citizens needed to realize was that the price of gas was not the only issue affecting minibus operators. According to him, these operators also had other expenses to consider such as spare parts and general maintenance of the bus. He also added that the minibus operators also needed to make a sufficient amount of money in order to provide for themselves and families.
When this newspaper contacted Hiram Grant, who holds the position of Assistant Public Relations Officer within the Guyana Public Transportation Association (GPTA), he said that there is currently a split within the Association. This split was evident during the last discussion with the Minister when a section headed by Edward Persaud and supported by Grant, opposed the reduction in bus fares, while claiming that Compton Giddings, who represented the GPTA at these meetings, had no power to represent this particular association.
He said that members of his faction of the association have been encouraged to adhere to the revised fare structure. However, he said that they would not be reducing their fares any further. He emphasized that before fares could be further reduced the cost of basic utilities needed to go down.
Meanwhile, when Stabroek News contacted Compton Giddings, the Public Relations Officer, he denied that there was any split within the association but said that it was dormant for the moment because its president was away on leave.
When asked about the reaction of the association to the latest request by the Minister, he said that he was unaware that such an appeal had been made. He, however, said that his group is not willing to comply as yet. According to him, the price for fuel is expected to fall even further, and when it reaches $400 per gallon, his association may consider negotiating their fares.
