Consumer Affairs vacuum blamed for bus fare overcharging

Stakeholders are blaming a breakdown in oversight by the Consumer Affairs Department at the Ministry of Tourism for ongoing bus fare overcharging, as commuters continue to complain about being forced to pay more than the approved rates. During a recent road safety programme, President of the United Minibus Union, Eon Andrews, said mechanisms once existed to address fare complaints swiftly through collaboration between agencies. “Initially, they were still Consumer Affairs Department… that’s where a lot of complaints go into.”

He claimed that enforcement weakened after leadership changes within the department. “What had happened is that they had decided that they would form this group of people, road safety, police, the minibus and we would look at it holistically.” Andrews said the system deteriorated after the departure of key officials. “Since [an official] would have left, what I find happening is people going in, a torrent of complaints going in and they’re giving the people mean number. Those people ain’t want no headache.” He warned that the absence of firm oversight has left commuters vulnerable. “Somebody has to have some level of control”, he insisted. During the programme, traffic ranks acknowledged that enforcement is difficult without formal reports and witnesses. “Without you – [if you] don’t make a report, there’s nothing they can do”, Chairman of the Road Safety Council, Earl Lambert noted. Lambert noted too that many cases collapse because complainants fail to attend court. “These persons, they don’t turn up for court… and it might be something where they might be working, and it is not easy for them to get time off.” Andrews added that any long-term solution requires Government intervention. “The Government has to step in here. There’s no price control on anything, and everybody is doing what they feel like.” Just a few months ago, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department announced stricter enforcement measures against minibus operators who overcharge passengers, particularly along the Georgetown to Parika (Route 32) and Georgetown to Timehri (Route 42) corridors. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahendra Singh, operators are reminded that fares must not be unreasonable under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. Approved fare tables must be carried in each vehicle and displayed upon inspection. Non-compliant operators will face necessary sanctions. Passengers are being urged to familiarise themselves with official fares and to report incidents of overcharging to the nearest police station, via the 911 emergency system, or through the Traffic Department’s WhatsApp hotline at (592) 620-6713. Mandatory stops will also be conducted to ensure compliance, Singh added, emphasising that enforcement is aimed at preventing abuse and exploitation of commuters. The Traffic Department underscored that the initiative is part of its wider community relations thrust, ensuring fair treatment of passengers while holding minibus operators accountable under the law.