On the backdrop of what has been described as a “sluggish economy”, many commuters, especially those journeying home from work have been encountering unwelcomed fare hikes especially at nights.
Investigations by this publication have uncovered that the present situation transcends bus routes.
The Route 32 bus park during the day
East Coast Demerara
Many East Coast residents have complained of being bullied into paying exorbitant fares in the evenings. While the Route 44 fare from Georgetown to Ann’s Grove is $200, operators are said to be demanding $300 in the evenings.
In fact, passengers are normally told they must pay this fare upon entering the minibuses. If not they are refused entry. A 22-year-old Guyana Defence Force officer told this publication that he does not think it’s a good move for bus operators to be “overcharging” passengers.
While the $300 fare represents a 66.7 per cent daily increase, calculations would show that passengers are being exploited of $2000 on a monthly basis if a five-day work-week is taken into consideration only.
One passenger going home to Enmore told Guyana Times that although the fare is $160, some bus operators would charge $200. The woman who was on her way home from work said commuters would hardly complain as “people want to go home.”
Route 31
Commuters in West Demerara also complain of exploitation. Recently, minibuses who ply the Route 31 West Bank Demerara have started to engage in the phenomenon of charging $200, up from $160 after 21:00h. This increase comes in spite of shorter distances whether it be to La Grange (normally $120) or Stanleytown (normally $140).
The same can be said for commuters who travel to the La Parafaite Harmonie Housing Scheme where their fares can jump from $140 to $200 at nights.
This publication was told this occurrence normally takes place when passengers pay with $500 or $1000 bills. The lack of street lights in this community has added to the problem of passengers not being able to properly check their change.
Route 32
To De Kindren, West Coast Demerara, the fare from Georgetown ranges from $160 to $200 on a normal basis but $300 would be demanded at nights. Georgetown to Vreed-en-Hoop is much of the same as fares increase from $120 to $200 from early in the evenings.
Reports have come from Windsor Forest, where the fare of $160 can be increased to as much as $500 at nights.
Similar reports have also come from commuters on the East Bank Demerara.
Commuters across the various communities have stated that they feel helpless since they have no other choice because they want to go home. Many have also complained of touting of passengers. For years, commuters have been complaining about exploitation from bus operators and have wanted regularisation of the public transport system.
