Route 44 (Georgetown/Mahaica) bus operators remained on strike yesterday and vowed to stay off the roads until their call for a fare hike “is sorted out.”
Orin Peters, one of the bus drivers, told this newspaper that around 200 buses are currently on strike while a few are taking advantage of the situation by working. He said the reason for the strike is the rise in prices for gasoline and spare parts. When asked how much he and the other operators intend on raising the fares, Peters responded “$160 from Georgetown to Victoria.” Operators are seeking a $20 increase and some have already been asking for higher fares.
Another bus driver Vijay Saroop related that a few operators plan on getting a lawyer to represent them at a meeting with Minister of Commerce Manniram Prashad, since their route does not have a union. They noted that while Eon Andrews of the United Minibus Union once represented them in such matters, they no longer come under his union.
Meanwhile, commuter Pinky Thomas stated that a new fare would make things very difficult. “It’s rough,” she said. Another commuter, Marcia Williams, said that people would have no choice but to pay the $160 requested by the operators. “People have to travel… they don’t have a choice,” she said.
