Minibus operators need to stop extorting money from commuters – Minibus Union Head

Several minibus operators have been charging exorbitant amounts of monies from passengers in the evenings and on holidays – a move that does not sit well with the United Minibus Union.

One such instance was on Sunday evening following the Mashramani Costume and Float Parade which saw hundreds of commuters being stranded at several minibus parks and as such, the operators used the opportunity to hike their fares.
Some on the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara routes, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) were seen charging passengers up $500 to take them to their respective destinations.
In light of this extortion, a few commuters vented their concerns to Guyana Times and explained that the only reason they paid the hiked fares was because they wanted to get to their homes.
When contacted, President of the Minibus Association, Dale Andrews outlined the fare structure while reiterating that it should be adhered to at all times.
“They always take the opportunity [to] fleece people on these holiday seasons and I don’t know why they do it but you see basically there would have been fare structures that has been issued from the Ministry of Business in collaborate with the Union and it should be printed in the bus signed by the Union,” Andrew stated.
Andrews condemned that actions of the minibus operators, stating that more enforcement is needed and called on exploited commuters to report the matter to the Business Ministry and the nearest police station.
“This is extorting money from people and I am really glad if the police could really enforce some of these things. But I would recommend making a report to the Ministry of Business and if possible, the necessary police station.”
When asked about the Union’s ability to curb the issue, Andrews explained that “the Minibus Union is now a part of the Traffic Advisory Committee that has been reactivated and it would have been something that we would have discussed and I will endeavour to impress upon them this thing that is going on [fare hike] and how we can handle it.”
During the Christmas season, commuters complained bitterly about the unsanctioned implementation of fare increases, especially in the evenings. Guyana Times understands that the Route 32 minibuses have topped the list of complaints.