Commuters struggle with fare hikes and overcrowding; UMU calls for action

Public transportation woes continue to mount as commuters express frustration over unpredictable fare hikes and overcrowded minibuses, particularly during peak hours.
Many travellers fear they will not be able to afford rising fares, while others lament the lack of enforcement against operators who arbitrarily increase prices and choose their passengers.
Eon Andrews, President of the United Minibus Union (UMU), addressed these concerns on a recent televised Traffic and You programme, acknowledging the ongoing struggles within the sector.

“We had increase…. but these were minimal increases because as much as you want to have increases for these buses because operation costs are very high, you have to take into consideration the ability of the travelling public to pay, and they cannot. So, we were advocating at the time if the Government, any Government of the day, could give some subsidies,” he stated.
The problem, commuters say, is exacerbated in the afternoons when buses become scarce, and those available often overload with passengers while simultaneously hiking fares. Many complain that bus drivers select passengers based on their destinations, prioritising routes that yield higher earnings.
However, Andrew said the union has made advances in the past to regulate the industry, including attempts by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce to enforce a Code of Conduct for drivers and passengers.
Additionally, the police traffic department, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ron Clarke has provided training on safe driving, customer service, and legal responsibilities. However, enforcement remains a challenge.
“But what I want people to know is that the United Minibus Union own no buses. We are like the buses’ representative, but you’ll be surprised to know that there’s only a small percentage of these buses are members of the Union, but they enjoy anything that comes along, you know, they believe in a free lunch,” Andrews explained.

He revealed that previous initiatives, such as requiring drivers to complete training programmes before obtaining licences, had largely fallen by the wayside after COVID-19 disrupted operations.
“But COVID would have come and it stopped and it never came up again. But what we find happening as I sit here, people are calling all the time complaining. I know they’re under a lot of pressure. But what I have to let them know that the union advises, they work along with our other colleagues, the Road Safety Council, police, you know, but we do not have the power to enforce”.
Many commuters are also unaware of their rights when it comes to fare structures. According to traffic officials, minibuses are legally required to display fare charts, yet many fail to do so. Some commuters have been urged to report overcharging incidents, but police say they rarely receive formal complaints.
ASP Clarke who was also on the programme emphasised that without official reports, law enforcement is limited in what actions they can take.
“I understand the frustration, but we need people to come forward. If no formal complaint is made, we cannot take action against those who exploit passengers,” he said.
He encouraged commuters to use their smartphones to document fare violations, overcrowding, and other infractions, stating that such evidence could help bring offenders to justice.

Despite these calls to action however, the problem persists.
Overcrowding, reckless driving, and fare exploitation remain major issues across multiple bus routes, including the heavily trafficked Route 42, 44, 31, and Route 32.
Calls for stronger Governmental intervention continue to grow. Andrews has urged authorities to consider subsidies for public transportation, which could help mitigate fare hikes.
“Bus operators are facing high operational costs, and in many cases, they pass that burden onto passengers. If the Government provided some level of subsidy, it could stabilise fares and reduce the financial strain on commuters,” he suggested.
For now, commuters are left to navigate an unpredictable system where pricing and service depend more on driver discretion than regulation. Until stricter enforcement is put in place, they remain at the mercy of an industry that, for many, is their only means of transportation.