A COMMENDABLE DECISION

Nov 07, 2008 Editorial

The decision by some minibus operators to reduce their fares as a result of the decline in fuel prices is indeed commendable. It is a fine gesture in a country which does not have a tradition of prices returning to a lower level once they have risen, especially when it comes to public transportation.
The decision therefore of the minibus associations to reduce their fare, consistent with the decline in prices at the pumps, represents a significant and responsible act on the part of those providing such services. It demonstrates that this sector which has in the past been broadsided for “hustling” with the lives of commuters has a social conscience and is not driven purely by the profit motive.
However, there are some minibus operators who swear that they have no reason to lower their fares and they say that they do not intend to.
In fact, the minibus and public transportation operators were commended for the level of restraint exercised over the past year as fuel prices climbed to their highest level ever. The public transportation operators, despite facing increased operating and maintenance costs, kept prices under tabs until they could no longer afford to do so.
In keeping with a commitment given, they agreed that fares would not have increased unless fuel prices at the retail pumps touched the $1000 per gallon mark.
Now that the prices have dropped to an average of $780 per gallon, these public transportation operators have agreed to reduce their prices. We hope that the private taxi services and others who are engaged in transportation, particularly those that provide speedboat services, would follow the example of the minibuses.
It is not every day that minibuses set the example for other to follow. But they have done so in this case and they deserve to be commended.
We hope, too, that reduced fares will not lead to a deterioration of the service provided by these operators. We hope that the travelling public will be subjected to an improved level of service from the time they enter the bus parks to when they disembark from these buses.
It is known that there are number of touts who operate within the minibus parks and who have a habit of manhandling passengers. We hope that having demonstrated a high degree of civic responsibility in decreasing fares, the minibus associations will move towards regularising their bus parks and eradicate touting.
It is known that most of the touts are actually paid by some minibus operators to solicit passengers. We hope that a decision is taken to stop this practice.
We also hope that there will be greater stress on road safety and that the daredevil driving and speeding that takes place just to make a buck will cease.
All public transportation operators need to take responsibility for the lives of their passengers. The drivers need to be always conscious that while on the roads their passengers are their responsibility and therefore they should avoid speeding, reckless driving, and the overcrowding of minibuses. Music should be played at moderate levels and within legal limits, and songs with vulgar and profane lyrics should be prohibited in their vehicles.
There are a great many other challenges that face minibus operators. We are hopeful that the level of responsibility demonstrated this week will extend to other areas and that the associations will provide the necessary level of leadership and guidance to ensure that the public transportation sector is properly regulated.
Finally, we wish to commend the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce for having brokered this reduction in fares. We see this as an important achievement for his ministry, one that demonstrates clearly that our Ministers are quite capable of making decisions that will rebound to the benefit of the public without the direct intervention of the Office of the President.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News