Increased Route 32 minibus fares unjustified

RESIDENTS on West Coast of Demerara, since Wednesday, have been complaining about being subjected to the arbitrary increase of fares by Route 32 minibus drivers.
According to the complainants, who spoke to the Guyana Chronicle, the charges have been hiked by as much as $60 and reflect a new structure implemented by the United MiniBus Association and the Combined Road Transportation Association for Route 32.
Acting Minister of Tourism, Mr. Irfaan Ali, in an invited comment, declared that the fare rise is unjustified.
“There is no way the Route 32 drivers can, unilaterally, decide to increase fare,” he emphasised.
He said the ministry has a standing agreement with the MiniBus Association, which states, clearly, that, in the absence of increases in fuel prices, there cannot be a raise in fares.
Ali said: “There has been no communication from anyone regarding any concerns that can justify the increases. There is no justification for this.
“The situation with fares has been continuously monitored and, to date, given that gas prices have remained under a certain price, there cannot be any increases in fares,” he added.
Ali explained that, following the issuance of an advisory by his ministry, police officers will be asked to enforce the current and approved fare structure and prevent unfair demands by the transport operators.
Unilateral fare hikes by minibus operators has been an on and off cause of concern in the last three years, with some incidents resulting in strike actions that left hundreds of commuters stranded.
Earlier this year, Minister of Transport, Mr. Robeson Benn promised an investigation into the unregulated hike in minibus fares across the various routes at nights, when commuters are asked to pay double.
Meanwhile, the fairness to commuters remains a concern.