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Minibus fare increase is not an unreasonable request

May 23, 2008 Letters

Dear Editor,
Over the past couple of days I have noticed many passengers on the route Georgetown to Industry/University Guyana (UG) being verbally abusive to minibus drivers and conductors on the increase of fares from $80 to $100.

I think these passengers are being quite unreasonable, since the increase is a mere $20, which still cannot cover the cost of the expenses that the owners of these buses have to face. I am not and never was an owner of public transportation but I know it is costly to maintain a vehicle. I travel to the University of Guyana everyday and to get there I have to take two buses and see nothing wrong with a $20 increase. The fact is that gasoline prices are increasing and will continue with what is facing the world today.

As was reported on CNN, it is expected to reach $200 per barrel, and if I saw correctly it has already reached $998 per gallon in Guyana. There are increases in basic commodities and we have no choice but to pay for it because we need it. Minibus owners are not only faced with increases in gas, but also have to maintain their buses.

They too have bills to pay, families to care for and also have to pay the operators of these buses. I have heard cries from passengers telling them to be reasonable. Can the minibus owners tell the gas stations to be reasonable when they increase the prices? Can the gas station owners tell their suppliers to be reasonable? Can they tell the motor spares suppliers to be reasonable?

If we as passengers observe carefully, especially the route to Industry/UG, we can see how long most of these buses have to wait to get a full load unless it is the rush hour, then they still have to face the competition of the Sophia buses which also carry UG students. Be fair. How can the operators of these buses mitigate the increases that are facing them?

Nevica Wray

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