Minibus fares to drop from Friday

Nov 05, 2008 News

The General Minibus Association (GMA) yesterday said that bus fares throughout the country will be reduced effective Friday.
According to a release from GMA, the call for the reduction of high gas prices has been heeded by the government.
As a result, the release added, they will uphold their end of the bargain by reducing their fares.
“We have made clear to the government that should the gas price reach $1,000 prices will automatically be adjusted,” the GMA stated.

Minister Manniram Prashad

Commerce Minister, Manniram Prashad, during a press briefing, yesterday, said that he is pleased with the GMA decision. He also said that it is expected that fares will return to what they were before the last increase.
This newspaper understands that when the price of a gallon of gas went over $1,000 at the pump, minibus fares throughout the country increased.
The price on the world market went as high as $147 a barrel. However, Minister Prashad said that yesterday’s price was $63 per barrel.
According to the Minister, the price of gasoline at the pump is now $777 per gallon which is a 20.7 per cent reduction and for diesel it is $791 per gallon.
As a result, public transportation fares will be reduced proportionately, Minister Prashad said.
During the press briefing, the Minister also noted that when the price of fuel came down his Ministry began having discussions with the minibus associations with the aim of reducing the prices of public transportation.
He added there is now a mutual understanding between the commerce department and the minibus associations to reduce prices.
The Minister noted that he would have liked to see an immediate reduction. However, the minibus associations have agreed in writing that the price of transportation will be reduced.
“We will be monitoring closely to see the percentage reduction throughout the country to see if we will ask then for a further reduction. There are ongoing discussions…I am told that the price of gas at the other gas stations are also falling and so we hope that all the associations throughout the country will follow the line taken by the GMA and the GPTA.”
In fact, he added, some of the routes that are not represented by established minibus associations have already reduced their fares. He cited the Linden route as an example of fares being reduced from $900 to $800.
According to Minister Prashad, he sent out a team of people yesterday afternoon to check the different routes to see what is happening. He noted that he does not foresee problems with minibus operators not complying with the reduction.
Schoolchildren fares are also expected to decrease.
Minister Prashad also pointed out that the price of kerosene has also gone down significantly.
According to him, kerosene has gone down by 30 per cent and is now selling at $633 per gallon as opposed to $938 per gallon last week.