Transport fares increase in Berbice, some routes see 100% hike

Commuters across Berbice are being forced to dig deeper into their pockets as transport fares continue to climb sharply, with some routes recording increases of up to 100 per cent.
Among the most notable hikes is along the Rosignol to Blairmont route, where fares have doubled from $100 to $200 per trip. While operators insist that the increase is necessary due to rising fuel prices, commuters argue that the adjustments are excessive and unjustified.
Passengers contend that gasoline prices have risen by approximately $20 per litre in recent weeks, far below the 100 per cent increase now being charged on some routes.
Compounding the issue is the limited number of vehicles servicing certain areas, leaving commuters with little choice but to accept the higher fares.
The situation is not confined to short-distance travel, as along the Rosignol to Georgetown route, fares have jumped from $1500 to $2000, a 33 per cent increase. Similarly, operators travelling between New Amsterdam and Georgetown have raised their fares from $2000 to $2500, representing a 25 per cent increase.
Commuters also report that during late hours, fares often exceed the $2500 mark, further straining household budgets. These increases come on the heels of a previous hike in 2020, when fares moved from $1500 to $2000.
In fact, commuters note that it has been close to a year since any meaningful action was taken to address unilateral fare increases.
On the West Coast of Berbice, the Route 56 Minibus Association, regarded as one of the most organised transport bodies, has also adjusted its fares. After previously reducing prices from $300 to $200 following the removal of bridge tolls last August, operators have now increased fares by $40, bringing the cost to $240 per passenger.
Operators within the association said on Tuesday that the increase was unavoidable, citing both rising fuel prices and operational losses. They explained that their system of ensuring buses are filled before departure had already been affecting profitability.
In contrast, some areas in Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne) have not yet seen fare adjustments. Short-distance fares along the Corentyne coast remain at $100.
In New Amsterdam, hire car operators have long been calling for an increase in town fares, which have remained at $100 for over a decade. However, they claimed that the presence of unregulated private vehicles operating in the area has prevented any formal adjustment.
Operators are now calling on law enforcement to clamp down on illegal transportation services, arguing that such intervention would create a level playing field, though they acknowledge it would likely result in increased fares for commuters.