Minibus operators who ply the 32 route are calling for an ‘immediate’ fare increase amid the high cost of fuel, hike in spare parts price and the high cost of living being experienced countrywide.
Several minibus operators on Tuesday told MTV News Update that they deserve an increase in fare since the last increase was five years ago.
According to them, it is not only the high price for gas that causes them to appeal for the increase but other factors as well.
Raphael Williams, a bus driver at the 32 bus park said “We need it now, I think we should have gotten it even at the start of this year, even before gas price jacked up because we know is the war and all these things…but we have to put certain things in place so that everyone can benefit from this system.”
Sean Moses, another minibus operator explained that sometimes they do not even make enough for the day owing to the traffic congestion on this route, the competition with the speedboat operators and the slow business in this specific route.
“The price for spare parts, look…everything has gone up and we haven’t gotten a fare increase, there’s inflation in everything. So to compensate us or for it to be feasible we need a fare increase! It’s very very tough.” Beresford Martin also believes they deserve an increase right now since things very ‘tight’.
“It tight, it really tight. I mean we trying for the past couple years but we meet to a point we cannot do nothing else. We have to get it, how much more we gone wait?
These minibus operators recommend that the fare increase by 40% from $100 to $140.
Meanwhile, Head of the United Minibus Union Eon Andrews told MTV News Update in May that the union is ready to negotiate a fare increase for these operators not only based on the cost of gas but other factors as well.
In order to get this increase, these small business owners have to negotiate with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce who is responsible for green lighting the fare increase.
