THE operators of route 32 minibuses have once again unilaterally hiked their fares by as much as $40 and if you refuse to pay, then you either use a taxi if you can afford or sleep on the road.

This problem of unilateral hiking of fares has surfaced frequently and will only end when the authorities institute definitive and legal measures to bring an end to this brazen exploitation of commuters who are mostly from the working class and the poorer sections of society.
The minibus operators are aware that the hapless commuters do not have an alternative means of transportation and therefore are taking ruthless advantage. At the same time, the consumers do not have anyone to protect or represent them, so they are left at the mercy of these “birds of prey.”
Sometime ago the idea of bringing the operations of mini-buses under the auspices of the PUC was touted but nothing further has happened. That is the route to go, but what is preventing its implementation is anybody’s guess.
The reintroduction of big buses, even on a limited scale, will help to break the monopoly on transportation which the mini-bus operators currently enjoy.

HEMNARINE BABOOLALL