19% INCREASE CAUSING CONCERN AMONG SOME OPERATORS
Taxi and bus fares are going up effective Sunday, October 15, by 19 percent.
A further increase of 16 percent will take effect in April 2024. That will make the full increase 35 percent.
Minister of Transport Daryl Vaz announced the increases in Parliament Tuesday, October 10. He said the increases had been recommended by a subcommittee of a Steering Committee on Public Transport he had established since taking office.
Mr Vaz said the committee was aware of the inflationary effect of bus and taxi fares on inflation. He said the “staggered” increase would allow the Minister of Finance, Dr Nigel Clarke to deal with the inflationary effects in the next financial year that begins April 1, 2024.
A preliminary check by The North Coast Times with bus and taxi operators in St Ann, St Mary and Portland revealed some concerns about what the new fares will be.
Stay with North Coast Times for reactions and fares to be charged on routes in the northeast parishes.