ROUTE 44 (East Coast Demerara) minibus drivers are holding firmly to their decision for a massive strike to acquire a 100 percent raise in bus fares.

The Chronicle revisited the route 44 minibus park where drivers and conductors explained that their decision has not changed and they will not be persuaded into reducing fares.
For minibuses working directly to Mahaica from Georgetown, the standard fare is $200. However, those working shorter distances, for example Georgetown to Buxton/Strathspey, the fair is kept within $100 – $120.
The drivers and conductors have informed this publication that many minibuses are already off the road and more are going off on a daily basis as a result of passengers refusing to pay the $200 fare.
Minibus drivers declared that after 15:00hrs on weekdays and Saturday, persons who do not wish to pay $200 bus fare “can stay at the park or walk home.”
As a result of the “short drop” minibuses demanding a hike in their fares, some minibus drivers working directly to the Mahaica route on a daily basis have been increasing their fares as well from $200 to $300.
The minibus workers are blaming current economic conditions for their fare hike demands. They contended that everyone has a family to take care of and the present fare is not enough to pay both driver and conductor and in some cases minibus owners.
Drivers and conductors claim that they will not settle for anything less than double the present fare, as an increase by just $20 or $40 will not make any difference.
Although some passengers are trying to resist the new fare hike, most are at a loss after waiting at the park for hours for a minibus to pick them up.
This has since resulted in persons grudgingly paying double the regular minibus fares.
Some commuters are claiming that they are willing to pay the ridiculous fares to get home, but although it is one thing to double the fare, overloading the buses and asking to “double up” is unacceptable.
Travellers are maintaining that gas prices have not increased and fares should not be either.
Concerns have also been raised about the recklessness and rudeness of the minibus drivers and conductors.

Passengers are asserting that doubling the fare will make things extremely hard on them, as it will be financially difficult to travel to and from Georgetown on a daily basis.
Representatives of the minibus union were still unavailable for comments on the matter and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Willet Hamilton, in an earlier interview had assured that the matter will be investigated and dealt with accordingly.

(By Savitri Laikram)