The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Franchise owners yesterday reiterated it is premature for jitney drivers to increase fares by 25 cents amid reports that some have already begun this week to charge passengers $1.50

Harrison Moxey, president of the United Public Transportation Company’s (UPTC), which represents franchise owners, told Tribune Business that no bus should be charging passengers $1.50 as the Ministry of Transport and Housing has yet to finalise, announce and gazzette any fare increase. While a proposed 25 cent rise is “forthcoming”, it has not been made law and brought into effect.

“There hasn’t been any implementation of any increase. There have been discussions on it. The 25 cent increase is what is to be forthcoming based on their position, but it is not to be implemented for the next several weeks [until] after a series of town meetings, which we are supposed to be a part of,” Mr Moxey said.

This newspaper was yesterday informed by one adult passenger that the jitney they rode in the Carmichael area had already implemented a 25 cent increase, requiring them to pay a $1.50 fare as opposed to $1.25. Such a move is in line with a previous communication issued to franchise holders, bus owners and drivers by the Bahamas Unified Bus Drivers Union (BUDU), which represents the jitney drivers.

It advised that jitney fares will be increasing by 25 cents for adults, and junior and high school students, with effect from Monday, August 14. This would take the bus fare to $1.50 for adults and $1.25 for junior and high school students in uniform during school hours, and $1.50 for the latter during school breaks and weekends. The rates for elderly passengers and primary school children were to remain unchanged.

“As of Monday, August 14, 2023, the bus fees/fares will be going up by $0.25,” the union said. “Adults $1.25 will now be $1.50, students in senior high and junior high school will move from $1 to $1.25 in uniform during school hours but $1.50 during school breaks and weekends. Primary and senior citizens remain at $0.50 and $0.75. All other rates are to be adjusted by $0.25. This agreement has been agreed to by the union and the Ministry of Transportation.”

This statement was branded premature by both Mr Moxey and the Ministry of Transport and Housing when it emerged. The latter yesterday indicated this remains the position, as it referred Tribune Business to its previous statement on the matter. That release said the Government has not concluded deliberations on a fare increase and the date when it will be implemented.

Echoing the Government’s stance, Mr Moxey said: “We haven’t agreed. We’re just saying based on the discussion from the Government’s side, and we’re still getting to the point where we will have a meeting with the Government. The discussions will be whether the lower class can support an increase. But nobody is supposed to be charging any bus fee higher than what the regular thing is.”

His members “have not given up” on their initial proposal for raising bus fares to $2. “The bus drivers (BUDU) met and had a different conversation, but nothing to move in the direction that their union is actually moving in, trying to force hands and charge people prematurely,” Mr Moxey said.

“So it would be premature for the UPTC to say we are going to charge $1.50 because things have to be approved and gazetted, and public notices have to be given, so you can’t just haphazardly do it.”