Commuters travelling the Georgetown to Mahaica (Route 44) route by minibus will have to pay slight increases in fares after operators managed to make a case for hikes during recent talks with the Ministry of Commerce.
The Vice President of the United Minibus Union Ronald Backer told Stabroek News that passengers would be required to pay an additional $20 or $40 in some instances after “adjustments” to the “government recognised” fare structure issued in 2008 were agreed. However, most schoolchildren will not affected by the increases. In one area, Nooten Zuil/ Hope/Anns Grove there has been a $60 decrease in the children’s fare.
Backer also stated that the Ministry is seeking to work with the Guyana Police Force to avoid breach in fare agreements.
The Ministry has been in talks with operators since last week when the government signaled it would discontinue a free bus service
