MR Eon Andrews, president of the United Minibus Union (UMU), has said that given the unfair playing field in the minibus transportation service and the prices for oil remaining volatile, it would not be feasible at this time for minibus operators to lower their fares.
In light of the drop in fuel prices on the global market, Government had, last month, lowered the prices for gasoline and dieseline by 30 per cent respectively, and kerosene by 42 per cent.
That reduction has now pegged the price of gasoline at $695 per gallon, down from $995; dieseline now retails at $694 per gallon, down from $984 per gallon; and kerosene now retails at $496 per gallon, whereas it was $850 per gallon.
Admitting that Government’s slashing of fuel prices has redounded to the benefit of minibus operators, Andrews explained that the price for fuel has been gradually increasing, and it would be better “to give it a couple months” to see how things stand, before making a decision to trim minibus fares.
Since Government’s reduction of the prices for fuel, there have been calls from several sections of society for minibus operators to lower their fares, and President Donald Ramotar has noted his displeasure at the situation.
“Unfortunately, many of those involved in the transportation sector have not passed on the benefit that they are getting at the pump to the consumer, and I still urge them to do so, so that our people can benefit from this cheaper fuel price that we have,” the President said.
Minibuses fares for drops at different stages of a route remain at $80, $100 and $120 per person; while there has been no lowering of the fares for various taxi drops.
The fact that public transport operators justify an increase in fares when fuel prices go up was underscored by the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, who noted that there seems to be a “one-way engagement” between fuel prices and fare structures.
STUBBORNNESS
“When fuel prices go up, there is a demand for increases in fares, but when fuel prices fall, it’s like pulling teeth to get fare increases to be rolled back,” he had said.
Andrews has said he has already met twice with Tourism Ministry officials on the issue. At those meetings, he said, his views were well ventilated. He has pointed out that many do not know the reality on the ground.
The United Minibus Union’s president has said that while there are minibus operators who comply with the line system (taking turns to full their vehicles), there are “rogue drivers” or “hot plates” who bully their way on the park. These “rogue drivers”, he said, make more than six trips per day, while those who comply with the order make at most four trips on any weekday.
He explained that confronting these drivers remains a challenge, as, in most cases, the vehicles they drive are owned by policemen and “powerful people”, who are in full support of the lawlessness they practise. He also claimed that these policemen harass compliant members of the line system, noting that many of them do it to get bribes.
A senior police officer, who declined to be named, told the Guyana Chronicle that the police can take action only if these matters are reported to them.
Andrews has said that while the drop in fuel prices should ideally have resulted in a reduction in minibus fares, it is unfair to implement a reduction, since “good operators” are being “squeezed out of business”.
He also pointed out that the United Minibus Union has had to negotiate for five years to get approval for a $20 increase, and the low prices for oil on the world market would have to be stable before the union would agree to any fare reduction.
By Tajeram Mohabir
