West Bank Demerara minibuses, hire cars hike fares by $20

Jan 16, 2014 News

– hopes Govt. approves

Scores of minibuses and hire cars operating on the West Bank of Demerara are set to raise fares by $20 with effect from today.
Citing rising costs of spare parts and fuel, the drivers claimed that it is nearly a decade since any meaningful increases were instituted.
However, there has not been any official word from the Ministry of Trade and Commerce on the legality of the increases.
Several of the buses and cars yesterday congregated at the Patentia Public Road, a village south of Wales, on the West Bank of Demerara, where the operators spoke with the media.

Ronald Hilliman, spokesperson for the West Bank Demerara Minibus Association.

According to Ronald Hilliman, a spokesperson for the West Bank Demerara Minibus Association, costs on almost everything have risen by 50% in recent years.
“We are just asking for $20 more. Even the cost for air per wheel has risen from $20 to $40. Further, no gas station between Georgetown and Wales is selling at Government price. We have to risk driving out of zone and be charged by police to buy cheaper gas.”
Asked whether the Association should not have consulted with the Ministry before implementing the raise, operators were adamant that the fares are not fully controlled by Government.
“What we are asking for is for the Ministry to approve this raise which we are implementing on Thursday (today). It is a fact that since last year the minibuses along the Number 40 and 45 routes in Georgetown have raised their rates. We can’t wait anymore.”
According to the Minibus Association, passengers don’t have a problem with the $20 increase.
“Our vehicles are servicing La Parfaite Harmonie, Dairy, Number Two Canal and Wales. We have about 50 buses in operation. The parts for the new buses like the Toyota ‘Pitbulls’ are very expensive. Soon, unless we have the raise, it will no longer make financial sense for us to operate. It is not just about fuel and tyres. There are other factors involved too.”
Meanwhile, it is estimated that there are about 200 hire cars operating on the West Bank.
A spokesperson for the hire car operators, Steve Dey, disclosed that they too will be adding $20 to the fare. The hire cars operate mainly from Vreed-en-Hoop, located at the junction of the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara.
Fares for minibuses from the city to Patentia will now be $160 while Belle West and Canal Number Two will attract a $200 fare. La Parfaite Harmonie will now be $160 while La Grange will be $120.