“Do not exploit commuters” – UMU President to minibus operators

As commuters continue to raise concerns over exploitation by minibus operators, who arbitrarily decided to hike fares, President of the United Minibus Union (UMU) is warning drivers of the serious implications of such actions.
The UMU President, Eon Andrews on Saturday told Guyana Times that while most of the drivers are not a part of the Union, they enjoy the benefits of the United Union initiatives such as official fare increases. Meanwhile, he urged drivers to utilise their moral compasses and conform to the fare structure in place noting that persons utilising the transportation services are not opulent.
He further called on minibus operators not to exploit commuters during this challenging time.
“I think these people’s behaviour is inhumane because we are in a crisis, we need to be our brother’s keeper, we need to be able to help each other. There will be a lull in your earnings but we have to stick with the programme”, he said.
Meanwhile, Andrews said that the UMU will be closely monitoring to ensure that such instances are not occurring.
“There is no need for anybody to raise anything. The Government can appease those people and it’s either so many buses work per day on the park through the Revenue Authority or even demand a two in a seat because of the coronavirus. Also, when you want to exploit persons, actions have consequences”, he explained.
He encouraged commuters that find themselves in such instances not to be bullied or intimidated but to record the route and license plate of the vehicle and make a report to the nearest police station.
Chairman of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF), caretaker Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said that he has received reports of persons increasing fares because they have been asked to incorporate social distancing into their operations.
Nagamootoo reminded that the sudden drop in gas price can allow operators to better enforce these measures and play their part in stopping the transmission of the virus.
Essential services, according to the Health Ministry, includes “hospitals, healthcare and medical services including pharmacies, drug stores, and private veterinary services; nursing homes, orphanages, shelters, and other related care centres; immigration; the Revenue Authority; electricity services; water supply services; the Disciplined Forces; prison services; solid waste management, sewerage, and janitorial services; air traffic control; Demerara Harbour Bridge and Berbice River Bridge; hotels and accommodation; factories, manufacturers or distributors of food supplies and essential goods including medical supplies where the Minister of Public Health has determined that the continuation of these operations do not pose a risk to public health”.