The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has labelled the $20 across-the-board increase in minibus fares, expected to be active by September 1, a burden on the beleaguered working people.
Dislocated minibuses parked outside Ashmin’s and Silvie’s Variety Store on High Street, Georgetown
The union on Monday expressed its dissatisfaction over the fare hike, expressing that “it was disheartening for us that the Government, it seemed, did not take cognisance of what impacts the increases would have on the pockets of the working people.”
According to FITUG, although it accepts that the operators have found themselves in a difficult position, taking into consideration the ban on used tyres and increases in the costs of licences and fitness in addition to other increases, the new increases, depending on the route, could work out to as much as a 25 per cent hike in fares.
The Union pointed out that it believes the new fare structure would now require workers and their families, depending on the number of buses they would have to take, to fork out as much as several thousands more per month on transportation, though promised a ‘Good Life’ by the ruling Coalition Government.
“Naturally, we expected the Administration would have sought to see what assistance the State could have lent to easing the woes of the bus operators, without placing additional burdens on our people. This is the approach any responsible Government would take as it seeks to protect its people’s well-being,” FITUG stated.
Moreover, the Union asserted that it had high expectations of the Government to do ‘what is right and decent’. “Certainly, the Coalition had several possible fiscal measures at its disposal, but rather ‘uncreatively’ passed on the increased costs to hapless, overburdened Guyanese”, the agitated Union noted.
In addition to the hike on minibus fares, FITUG also complained of the impending hike in water rates, which it said are being saddled on to the backs of our overburdened working people.
The union added that while the administration boasts of high economic growth, “we find many of our people cannot cope with the pressures of life. This is not a healthy situation, and one we urge the Administration to pay careful attention to.”
About one week ago, the Business Ministry announced that minibuses in the various routes would be benefiting from an additional $20 from each passenger, beginning on September 01.
According to the Business Ministry, a new fare structure would be made available to minibus drivers, who would then be responsible for displaying same in their buses.
President of the United Minibus Union (UMU), Eon Andrews, has said he is satisfied with the Ministry’s decision to implement a $20 increase. He said, “It might not be a lot, but we are satisfied.”
The President of the Minibus Union had in June submitted a proposal for not only a fare increase, but for several other requests to ease the pressure on minibus operators.
Although the call for a fare increase came at a time when fuel prices were constantly escalating, Andrews had noted that the call for the additional money was not only due to the fuel prices, but to several other issues. Because of this, the Union’s President said, even if the fuel prices were to be lowered, he would not be willing to drop the transportation costs.
