By Tahna Weston
Bus operators in Antigua and Barbuda say they are “holding a serious strain” as they wait for the government to make a decision on increasing bus fares, which has not risen since 2005-some 19 years ago.
The existing bus fares were the highlight of a recent meeting of members of the Antigua and Barbuda Bus Association.
The association reportedly put forward a proposal to the government requesting an increase in bus fares about a year ago.
Earl Waldron, public relations officer (PRO) for the association expressed his opinion that based on the current fares, bus operators seem to be doing a favour to the country.
Waldron said there is not much, based on the monies made, even with multiple trips, bus operators can do in terms of advancing their personal lives as entrepreneurs.
“And in that time bus prices have been doubled-for both small buses and big buses and also parts and maintenance of the buses has been, in some cases, tripled. So we entered into negotiations with the government for some time now and we are awaiting their decision in terms of what we propose
“A small bus that had cost 70-something thousand dollars at that time [almost two decades ago] is now $165,000,” Waldron said.
Without going into details, Waldron said the Bus Association has put forward a proposal to the government and drivers are “looking an increase of no less than half of a dollar”.
He noted that based on what their regional counterparts make, bus operators in Antigua and Barbuda are lagging behind.
“Even just in St Kitts just recently — because I am in contact with my counterparts around the Caribbean to find out what is going on — this is their third increase and this time they got a dollar right across the board from children to adults. And this is their third increase in the time span [and] for almost two decades that we haven’t had a raise they have had three.
“I have been in contact with my counterparts from different associations because we dialogue, and it’s getting really unfair to us to continue to operate under this condition with the increase of everything- and I am quite sure you notice I said 19 long years,” the Bus Association PRO said.
He noted that the strain under which bus operators work has become such a burden that they are calling on the government to respond to the proposal as soon as is practicable, to allow them to live “a better life”.
Waldron said the last update he received on the proposal was that it was with Finance officials. He noted that he is unaware whether it has already been sent to the Cabinet, after being put to officials at the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board.
The association recently lodged its displeasure over an issue in which children refuse to pay the already reduced bus fares for children from two to 12 years. Based on regulations, children pay 50 cents less than what the usual fare is.
GO GET A REAL JOB YAH BUMS….
What is a real job? They provide a valuable service to the public with few subsidies. Most developed countries bus services are heavily subsidized by the government.
Most of these buses aren’t even road worthy and have many safety issues, the government needs to crack down on these operators that pose a serious threat to safety. The way they drive on the roads is also a big concern as they speed excessively and overload the buses just to make a buck.
not only that but some of these bus drivers will be racing and rushing people to get in the bus