BARBADIANS ARE NOW paying $2 for bus fare, following the 50 cents hike announced by Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler in his November Budget presentation.
The increase officially took effect yesterday, drawing a mixed reaction from commuters who spoke to the SUNDAY?SUN in the Fairchild Street and Princess Alice bus terminals.
“Nonsense! The cost of living high already!” said one commuter in the Princess Alice terminal, who did not want to be identified.
Another said the increase would only serve to make life harder.
“Right now, it is hard on me. It could cost me up to $10 in bus fare per day now and I work four days a week. By the time I done pay my loans and bills, I will have to beg for bus fare,” she said.
Sophie Jones appeared more accommodating. She said: “Whether it is up or down, you still got to get around. You got to live with it,” she said.
Another commuter, who identified himself only as “Rasshawn”, said he was more interested in the high cost of food, although he suggested that schoolchildren should be made to pay bus fares again since “it’s not like they pay taxes”.
The 50 cents hike affects travel on all public service vehicles (PSVs), including state-run Transport Board buses and private ZRs.
Lynda Holder, manager of marketing and corporate communications at the Transport Board, said Government was monitoring the situation and would be in a better position to comment on the effect of the change at a later date.
One ZR driver, Carl “Doc” Jones, said he had to constantly remind people about the new fare.
“About six people get in the van already today and say they forget. People are not really remembering but I’m getting no trouble with getting the extra 50 cents. Still, I have to wait and see how it will benefit me,” he said. (CA)
