The minibus operators plying the University of Guyana (UG) route have increased fares, citing the increased cost of spare parts and gasoline.
When Stabroek News visited the UG bus park on Avenue of the Republic, the operators there admitted to raising the fare from $80 to $100 and explained that it was the result of the increases in the prices for spare parts and gasoline. One driver said that previously they paid $2,800 for brake pads, but now the price is $4,500. Another said that previously he bought tyres for between $2,500 and $3,500 but he now pays $4,500. “Everything raise!” one driver exclaimed. “Last year when they raised the gas price, we raise we fare, but when the gas price went down, we drop back the fare. [Commerce Minister] Manniram [Prashad] say police and government have no authority to say anything in raising of fares…we have it in black and white. All we’re asking for is $20 more.”
University students and workers alike are upset at the move, saying that it was unfair for operators to raise fares without prior warning. When asked whether it would be fair for them to at least notify the passengers by way of a notice in the buses, some operators said yes but that they would have to get the approval of the Commerce Minister to do so.
Meanwhile, when this newspaper contacted President of the Minibus Union Eon Andrews for comment on the matter, he said he could not tell operators either to raise their fares or not. He, however, related that he was in sympathy with the operators. When asked if he knew the reason for the increase, Andrews said that the Plaisance and UG buses have the same route number and as a result during low peak hours the Plaisance operators tend to drive into UG and poach passengers, causing the UG operators to “lose out”. As a result, Andrews said UG officials are looking into getting passes that would only authorise UG operators on the campus. Andrews added that when the pass is issued, the UG drivers will retract the increased fare.
When contacted, President of the University of Guyana Students’ Society Colin Constantine stated that “we have remedied the situation already.” He explained that they are currently collecting the licence plate numbers of all the UG buses, which they will hand over to the security guards at the university gates, therefore allowing only authorised operators into the compound. He said the passes will be ready in a week’s time and the drivers will then retract the fare increase.
According to a representative from the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce, there was a meeting earlier yesterday concerning the matter.
