ACTING Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Irfaan Ali has complimented those minibus operators who are maintaining the old fare structure. Speaking to the media last week, at his Ministry of Housing and Water Office, in Brickdam, Georgetown, he observed that some minibuses are still charging a different fee but that is based on if commuters hand over the increased amount.
If passengers pay the correct charge the operators would accept it, he stated.
Ali said: “We have not concluded on any matter relating to fares as yet and, for a matter of fact, there are different minibus associations that are now writing us.
“As you know, the Minibus Union is not the representative of all the minibus associations. There are different groups like the Minibus Owners’ Association that would want to meet with us to discuss this issue. So that’s what we’re working on.”
For too long minibus operators have been allowed to rapaciously rip off commuters who seemingly do not have any form of recourse and no alternative means of transportation, except the taxis which obviously are above the means of the ordinary worker who have to travel long distances to and from work.
The minibus operators recognise that commuters do not have any alternative mode of transport and have no real means of having their grievances addressed and therefore they feel free to take advantage of the situation. For example the route 32 minibus operators have been charging $500, for the longest while now, from Georgetown to Parika and vice-versa when the actual fare is $350. This has been happening unchecked for so long that the $500 has now become the standard and acceptable fare. Destinations along the same Route 32 where the fare is $160 increases to $200-$300 in the afternoons. So commuters pay $160 in the mornings which metamorphoses to $200-$300 in the afternoons for the same destinations. Along route 40 in Georgetown if you make the mistake of not having exactly the $60 fare you end up paying $80 to some of the operators and if a commuter raises his/her voice against this gross injustice he/she receives a tongue lashing and verbal assault in the vilest of language. It is for this reason that decent minded commuters prefer to ignore this injustice.
This is apart from the foul language, loud and vulgar music and overloading etc. which commuters have to endure.
With respect to hike in fuel price and fares it is clear from a global context that there will not be stability in the near future because of the sharp increase in demand and the instability in regions where major oil producers are located. Therefore there is a need for this issue, and for that matter the entire operation of the minibus service to be comprehensively addressed through legislation and regulatory mechanisms.
On this note, it is heartening that acting Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Irfaan Ali has complimented those minibus operators who are maintaining the old fare structure. But, he observed that some minibuses are still charging a different fee stating that if passengers pay the correct charge the operators would accept it, he stated.
“And I think it is injurious to the consumer to have to feel the brunt of unregulated changes, not having a proper mechanism or channel through which their rights can be protected.
“So I want to give notice that, as minister, I intend to approach the PUC to bring this aspect of public transportation under regulation, so that any grey areas, ambiguity, would now be resolved. A clearly defined mechanism for setting the fares will be established. These actions are necessary to avoid arbitrary, reckless confusion.
“We have to bring order to this thing. I have already had discussions with the Chairman of the PUC and he assured me that, after our discussions, we will activate the process and I see, within the next six months, it coming to an end,” the minister indicated.
This is precisely the solution. The operation of the minibus service has to be brought under the auspices of the PUC. Only then would commuters have a legal recourse to bring those rapacious minibus operators to justice and bring this lawless minibus culture to an end.
Serious consideration of reintroducing, even on a limited scale, a government operated bus service, so that there would not be a monopoly in public road transport.