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Bus fares have not kept pace with inflation
Dear Editor,
When Georgetown transitioned from Tata buses to minibuses during the 1980’s, the bus fare was approximately the equivalent of US$2 in some routes. As inflation rose and the exchange rate changed the bus fare has been kept artificially low and now is approximately the equivalent of US$0.5 for some of these same routes. The government should be adjusting the fare annually to keep pace with inflation. The spare parts are imported, and shipping costs have increased. Fuel prices have also increased. The owners and operators in the transportation sector should be provided with options to continue to operate a viable business.
To reduce the risk to the pockets of the consumers, a fuel voucher can be provided to bus operators and or a redeemable transportation voucher provided to schoolchildren for use on the minibuses. Either way a win-win solution must be sought by the government that prevents an additional burden on those using the minibuses and one which also allows for the continued viability of the business for the owners and operators in the sector.
Attaching performance metrics will also ensure improved safety on the roadways and prevent overloading and speeding. Each route should have official bus stops and bus sheds from where passengers should only be picked up and dropped off, and the minibuses should have speed governors provided by the government to limit the velocity of the buses. In addition, the sector needs to be more professional in appearance with uniforms for conductors and drivers. This could be supported by a uniform voucher provided by the government, and seatbelts installed by the authorities for passengers’ use for improved safety with higher fines for overloading to accompany the seat belt initiative. As for the volume and type of music within the bus, the government must work with the union and the Ministry of Health to outline the decibel limitations and approve the sound system installed via an official inspection and decibel check. Many still remember the damage caused to a passenger’s hearing not too long ago. We must safeguard against this, especially given the liability associated with such matters, and we must prohibit the use of music with vulgarity and poor moral messaging.
The preferred option would be to allow passengers to hear the news on the radio at the required hour, a low volume that allows for the reading of the newspapers in the morning, and the broadcasting of educational radio programmes during the times when schoolchildren are going and coming from school. The sector can have a positive impact on the moral character of our society and should seriously consider embracing such an opportunity. During the remainder of operating hours, there is ample opportunity to provide the Caribbean hospitality and atmosphere that tourists and nationals have come to love over the years without causing disruption, promoting poor moral content, and reducing the comfort of passengers.
The union that represents the sector should be met with and an agreement made on expectations to accompany the annual inflation adjusted rate increases. CRG recommends developing the sector in this manner to ensure its continued viability, growth, and effective support of Guyana’s transformation into a 2nd world economy.
Best regards,
Jamil Changlee
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