Although the Route 44 bus operators have called off the strike for increased fare, commuters are still opting for the free government buses.
Operators said that they have decided to make do with the fare until the relevant authority decides to address the issue.
“We are not forcing anyone to pay more money,” said one driver, as he stated that a
decision was made to wait on the “higher authority,” to address the issue. He further opined that the increase was being asked for, in the light of the growing expenses operators face.
According to that driver, who spoke to Stabroek news on the condition of anonymity, it cost him about $50,000 to repair his bus and an increase is needed to deal with that.
Drivers had told this publication that they only make $5,000 profit from a tank of gas which costs $15,000.
On Monday, the Ministry of Public Works rolled out a free bus service to take stranded commuters home.
Yesterday, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon said the service will continue for two weeks and during that period, discussions will be held with minibus owners and operators to review the situation.
However, he revealed the government’s position: “Minibus operators and owners have thrown down the gauntlet to the government,” GINA quoted him as saying. “The golden yardstick of $1,000 per gallon for fuel has not been breached. Therein lies no basis for an increase. It simply does not exist.”
