Mini-bus operators plying the Number 32 route are seeking to have commuters pay the fare schedule as established in 1999, instead of asking for an increase.
Commuters have been refusing to pay the extra $10 saying that Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manzoor Nadir, had advised against this after announcing reductions in the consumption tax on fuel.
But the operators are contending that it was Nadir himself as head as the Guyana Public Transportation Association (GPTA), who had worked out the 1999 fare structure which they are simply seeking to enforce.
According to the drivers, they had been delinquent in collecting the correct fare and were now seeking to recover their costs. They showed this newspaper a copy of the agreed 1999 fare structure signed by Nadir.
Many operators it was said, had not been forceful in demanding the extra $10, because of problems with making change.
Currently only those commuters travelling the entire route from Georgetown to Parika or Vreed-en-Hoop to Parika pay the correct fare as set out in the structure.
The 1999 fare structure as set out by the GPTA is said to have become applicable from May 3 and saw fares set out as follows:
Georgetown
Vreed-en-Hoop
Old
New
Old
New
Fare
Fare
Fare
Fare
Vreed-en-
Hoop
50
60