Do not pay proposed increases – Minister tells commuters

Berbice fare hike

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond is advising commuters in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) not to pay increases in hire car fares being proposed and, in many cases, implemented by hire car operators plying the New Amsterdam-Rose Hall Town route.

The operators two weeks ago held protests along the East Coast Berbice Highway and at Rose Hall Town, demanding that fares be increased from $200 to $300.
The operators in trying to justify their proposed 50 per cent fare hike claimed that there has been no increase for more than 24 years.
However, in a statement on Wednesday, Walrond said no endorsement has been given for an increase in hire car fares in Berbice.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce wishes to state that it has not endorsed an increase in fares for hire cars plying the New Amsterdam to Rose Hall route,” the statement from the Ministry stated.
It was also noted that the Ministry has not been consulted by Region Six hire car drivers or any association, on the matter of an increase in fares.
According to the statement, the Ministry has noted the concerns expressed by drivers justifying the proposed increase in fares, but added that it was of the view that any change in the fare structure must be done after consultation with taxi drivers and commuters.
“Those discussions must take into consideration, the economic realities of all stakeholders,” the statement said.

Minister Walrond said that the Ministry was willing to engage residents living along the New Amsterdam-Rose Hall Town route and taxi drivers who ply that route to determine an amicable solution to the proposed fare increase and to determine a way forward. A team from the Department of Consumer Affairs has begun interactions with residents and would be meeting with taxi drivers and the taxi association to develop a plan of action based on consensus.
In the interim, the Ministry is calling on commuters to continue paying the original fare.
Meanwhile, the Corentyne operators are also proposing an increase of $300 to travel from New Amsterdam to Corriverton to make the new fare $1000 and an increase in the New Amsterdam-Moleson Creek fare from $1200 to $2000.