Commuters will be forced to shell out an additional 50 cents to cover the cost of bus fare as a result of the government’s new budget.
Finance Minister Chris Sinckler has announced that effective January 1, 2011, bus fares will be increased by 50 cents per ride in an effort to improve the finances at the Transport Board.
“This measure will add $8.4 million in revenue to the Transport Board,” he said in his inaugural budget presentation to parliament.
He however announced an ease in fees levied on mini-buses and route taxis of $3,625 and $2,250 respectively effective April 1, 2011, making for loss of $1.2 milion in government revenue.
However, Sincker warned that these reductions will be performance based as operators will only be able to access these benefits if they have demonstrated proper standards on the public roads.
“Some of these will include the wearing of uniforms by employees while on the job; a drastic reduction in traffic violations; the elimination of the playing of loud and offensive music and generally good deportment.
 “The Association of Public Transport Operators has agreed to work with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and the Royal Barbados Police Force to establish a system of appraisal on which operators will be assessed to determine eligibility for the relief,” he told the House.
Effective April 1 2011, government will also allow PSV employees to pay a flat licence renewal rate of $80 thus bringing them in line with their counterparts.
