Latest update June 22nd, 2026 12:15 AM
Minibus operatives not authorised to increase fares
– Ministry official
There has been no hike in fuel prices on the local market hence there should be no authorised increase in minibus fares to any routes in an around the city.
This disclosure was made by an official of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce in response to reports that a rise in fuel prices has led to an increase in bus fares.
According to the official the Ministry is not aware of such a development and is therefore cautioning minibus operatives to desist from such practices.
Some residents of Plaisance and others utilising the services of the Route 44 buses plying the Georgetown to Plaisance route are claiming that they have been subjected to some level of exploitation following the controversy surrounding the removal of bus parks, a move which was recently enforced by the Public Works Ministry.
But while the Plaisance bus park was not directly affected by the relocation process, several passengers have informed this newspaper that the operators at this bus park had in fact demanded that they pay $100, instead of the customary $80 fare because of the rising fuel prices.
Expressing her disgust at the situation one passenger said that while she accepts that the cost of living has risen she would prefer to be notified of an increase formally rather than “by a conductor rudely telling you that the fare raise.”
Another passenger explained that they are not even given the option of travelling with another mode of transportation since it is only until they reach their destination that they are notified of the increase.
“Sometimes it is only when yuh check yuh change then yuh does see that it short, then they does say that the fare raise…They don’t tell yuh up front that the fare raise…Is sheer trickery…”
And while the practice persisted a few days after the minibus relocation situation was pacified the call for the increased fare eventually ceased, with the operatives accepting the usual $80 fare.
But it was on Monday that a passenger said that the rise in the fare was again announced in the same unexpected way as before.
One woman said that it was not until she reached her Plaisance destination that she realised that the situation was about to repeat itself.
“I was too tired to argue with them and so I allowed them to take it…Life hard as it is, fighting with them will just make it harder….”
However, the woman said that the sudden hike in the fare comes as a blow to her pocket since she lives by a strict budget.
She explained that yesterday when she questioned why the fare had increased again she was told that fuel prices had also increased yesterday.
The woman said that she is forced to pay the fare since she is absolutely dependent on the minibuses to get to work on time, and earn her only income.
This newspaper was able to ascertain that indeed some of the bus operators were in fact demanding the increased fare.
Unconfirmed reports have also suggested that operators of a few other bus routes have also been threatening to increase their fares.
The Ministry official said that an investigation into the alleged increase and threats of increase of fares will be undertaken forthwith with a view to ensuring that customers are not exploited.
This newspaper was also informed that negotiations between the Ministry and representatives of the Minibus Association are continuing to determine the feasibility of any increase in fares.
Government, on Monday, through its Finance Ministry announced that it will drop the excise tax on gas from 17 per cent to seven per cent in an effort to further cushion the impact of the spiralling fuel prices.
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