Some commuters are still opposing the hike in bus fares, which went into effect today in Barbados.
Several travellers in Oistins, Christ Church, told Nation Online it would be a struggle to pay the $3.50 which was imposed in this year’s Budget by Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
Single parent Ellen Bourne said school children, who continue to travel free on government-operated Transport Board buses should be made to pay, because they did so on the private route taxis (ZRs).
“They raising the bus fare and not raising the salary. Raise the salary so I could pay all of this bus fare when the week come,” she said.
She proposed moving the fare back to $2, making the school children pay or issuing the school ticket which was used to be $7.50 per week. Special consideration should also be given to those with financial needs in the schools.
Another woman said, it doesn’t “pay her” to go to pay taxes “and this” sort of thing gine on”.
Princess Alice Terminal was quiet this morning at 7:30.
Over in the Princess Alice Terminal in Bridgetown, one man told the team there Barbados had the cheapest bus fares in the Caribbean and he did not see an issue with the increase, while one ZR driver said he also had no issue with the increase because parts for the vehicle were expensive.
The cry there was similar to Oistins that school children should be made to carry some of the burden. (Nation Online)
