Transport groups meet with gov't today following deferred fare increase

By Nakinskie Robinson    

 

The Transport Operators Steering Committee and transport operators are meeting Thursday to discuss measures to benefit the sector following the agreement to defer the 16 per cent fare increase that had been scheduled for April 1.

 

Some transport groups have disclosed that there was no previous indication that the 16 per cent fare increase would have been delayed.

 

The deferred hike was announced during a meeting last Thursday with Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz, transport sector leaders and other officials on the Transport Operators Steering Committee.

 

But sector leaders say, while they were anticipating the hike, they were not surprised by the delay.

 

President of the All Voice Transportation Group Lorraine Finnikin says the decision was accepted given the explanation provided by the Finance Minister. 

 

"If we had insist (sic) that we need the 16 per cent and for whatever reason it was granted, my estimate based on the explanation of the Finance Minister, [is that] within three months, the 16 per cent would have been eroded.

 

"So where we are now, it was stated clearly in the meeting last week Thursday, that ministers, if we are going to be giving up this 16 per cent, then there are some things that we will have to get in return, that would have helped to cushion the fallout of that 16 per cent," he asserted.

 

Mr. Finnikin was a guest on the Morning Agenda on Power 106 FM.

 

Sector leaders say they have documented adjustments and other agreements that they hope to discuss. 

 

Meanwhile, some taxi operators argue that they should not have to cushion the impact of rising inflation.

 

Dr. Clarke had explained that a fare hike would erode the current single digit inflation, which has kept the economy on course.

 

But the taxi operators argue that the government should have been better prepared to handle possible fallout, in light of its recent announcements to up the minimum wage and income tax threshold, among other things.

 

Mr. Finnikin contended that the move, at this time, would also significantly impact the commuting public. 

 

"It might get to the place where persons now would have to stay away from work because we have people that have been doing interviews, passed the interview, get called for the job. But when they work out the travelling cost versus the income, they would not be coming home with anything at the end of the week or the fortnight. People would now have to minimise their travelling," he reasoned.