AS a minibus driver and citizen of this country I fully understand the government’s position of not wanting to increase the financial burden of the poor people and therefore it is not in agreement with increased bus fares.

I also think that most minibus operators would not like to increase fares because most of them are ordinary people and can therefore identify with the hardships of the working class.

However, because of the escalating fuel prices and a sharp price rise for spares thus increasing maintenance costs, minibus operators are forced to increase their fares or resort to the dreadful alternative of closing their operations, because the current fare structure makes it difficult to operate at a reasonable profit.

I would humbly suggest to the President that serious consideration be given to the implementation of measures to reduce spares and increase the salaries of the lower income groups.

With respect to fuel prices, I would concede that there is little more the government can do about that.

While no one can disagree that runaway prices is a global problem, Guyanese are feeling heavier effects because of the low purchasing power of the Guyanese dollar and salaries are not as high as in other countries.
I urge the government to rethink its opposition on the increased bus fares.
CONCERNED BUS DRIVER