East Coast Demerara – The route 44 minibus drivers this morning continued their strike action calling for an additional $40 to the bus fare and said they are giving the subject minister until March 15th to have this implemented.
However,Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, who has responsibility for the established minibus and public transportation associations in Guyana, said that contrary to what has been reported in certain sections of the media, there is no transportation crisis on the East Coast of Demerara.
He explained that over the years, Government has had a “gentleman’s agreement” with the associations to the effect that there will be no fare increases unless the price of gas goes beyond $1000, a system which worked remarkable well in the past.
At present, crude oil price in the world market has increased to over US $100 per barrel which led to escalation in fuel price.
In Guyana however, Government again reduced the excise tax rate to 15 percent; hence the gasoline prices remain under $1000 and that is why most of the established minibus associations did not endeavour to increase fare in their jurisdictions, this is according to the Minister. The Tourism Minister said that Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, under whose port folio public transportation falls, gave assurance that systems are in place to ensure that commuters are not stranded in the event that the situation spirals out of control.
“He has several 30-seater buses on standby, but I don’t think that we will reach to that stage,” he said.
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