– Ali mum on steps to address matter

SCHOOLCHILDREN return to school today and on the West Coast of Demerara the concern for many parents is the arbitrary increase in bus fares being imposed on commuters.

Several parents who spoke to the Guyana Chronicle noted that their children already face the challenge of minibus drivers refusing to pick them up and now the fare hike will be quite an unfair and burdensome demand.
Up to yesterday, acting Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Irfaan Ali remained mum on what steps his ministry was taking to address the concerns of the thousands who utilise the Route 32 buses.
When asked by this newspaper yesterday if a meeting will be held with the United Minibus Association and the Combined Road Transportation Association for Route 32 to address the situation, which many commuters describe as untenable, the minister’s response was nonchalant.
Concern over the arbitrary increase of as much as $60 was expressed in mid-December and Ali had promised to issue an advisory on the matter.
This newspaper understands that while the advisory was issued and some complaints made, not much was done to address the situation by the ministry, much to the chagrin of commuters.
In a prior interview, Ali had urged members of the public to report increases to the police or directly to the ministry. He stated that police officers will be asked to act to enforce the current and approved fare structure and prevent unfair demands by the transport operators.
According to him, the fare increases are not sanctioned and are unjustified. The new increases are reflected in a new fare structure implemented by the United Minibus Association and the Combined Road Transportation Association for Route 32.
Ali in December told the Guyana Chronicle that there is no way the Route 32 drivers can unilaterally decide to increase fares, adding that there have been no consultations with the association on the matter.

NO INCREASE IN GAS PRICES
He also made it clear that the ministry has a standing agreement with the mini-bus association, and it clearly states that in the absence of increases in gas prices, there cannot be an increase in fares.
Unilateral fare hikes by mini-bus operators has been an on-and-off cause of concern in the last three years, with some incidents resulting in strike action that left hundreds of commuters stranded.
Early in 2013, Transport Minister 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.

(By Vanessa Narine)