– to resort to old fares in the meantime

THE Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, over the weekend, met with the United Minibus Union to discuss the arbitrary fare increases imposed on commuters on several routes.In the meantime, the union has agreed to immediately resort to the old fare structure, while according to a statement, the body has presented a new “interim fare structure” for consideration.
The ministry has said that the new fare structure will be the subject of discussions over the next two weeks, with the aim of agreeing on what is acceptable for all transport zones.
At the meeting held in the ministry’s boardroom, the stakeholders agreed that the arbitrary increase will be waived until the end of negotiations regarding the union’s proposal.
The statement made it clear that all short drops along Route 32 should be reduced to $80 from $100 and in Georgetown to Parika to $400 from $500.
The stakeholders also agreed that the old fare structure must be displayed in all the buses and passengers are only to pay what is stipulated by the document, signed by the union and the ministry.
Law enforcement officers will be asked to enforce this, according to the statement.
The grouping concurred also that transportation by minibus is essentially the small man’s mode of commuting and every effort must be explored to avoid any imposition of hardship on the public.
The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has committed to improving relations with the United Minibus Union, in the interest of creating a platform for positive and objective interactions.
Likewise, the union is expected to intensify its engagements with the Ministries of Home Affairs and Transport.
Other matters addressed at the meeting included touting’, ‘hot plating’, overcrowding and respect for the elderly.

‘ROGUE’ BEHAVIOUR
Meanwhile, of particular note was the expression of “grave” concern regarding allegations that many minibuses engage in “rogue” behaviour, which law enforcement seems “reluctant or incapable” of curtailing.
The concern cited the fact that many of these “rogue” actions are committed by drivers who operate vehicles owned by law enforcement officials and other influential individuals attached to state agencies.
After agreeing on the move forward to address the challenges of the public transport system, the United Minibus Union yesterday met with Route 31 operators.
The meetings were aimed at discussing grievances and solutions favourable to all stakeholders.
Attempts to contact Head of the Union, Ian Andrews, for comment proved futile.
The Route 31 minibus drivers and hire car operators staged a major strike action last Wednesday to force their demand for a $20 increase, and left hundreds of workers and school children stranded.
The concerns of commuters were first raised last December when Route 32 operators demanded increases, which were dubbed illegal by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali. Public transport operators on Route 44 followed suit a few weeks later. Both routes were demanding that passengers pay an increase of as much as $60.
The weekend’s consultations are expected to achieve tangible success in dealing with the issue of unilateral fare hikes by minibus operators, which has been a concern intermittently over the last few years.

(By Vanessa Narine)