In light of the Government’s decision for vehicles to carry the prescribed number of passengers they are licensed to, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has urged public carriers to return to original fares.
Many public transport services had increased fares, due to a reduction in the number of passengers being carried under a scheduled order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
In Linden, drivers had doubled their fares and increases were also registered with some vehicles traveling from Linden to Georgetown. However, in a recent statement issued by the Council, operators were urged to reduce their prices.
“The Regional Democratic Council has set out the provisions outlined by the Government in the Official Gazette of December 30th, 2020, where it is ordered that:” any person providing public transport within Guyana, whether by land, water or air, carry the number of passengers the motor vehicle is licensed to carry and must comply with the measures under paragraph 12 ”(which states that all passengers must wear a face mask).
The Council further stated that it noted that hire car and bus operators had increased their fares in the face of lower passenger numbers.
“Our nurses, teachers, students and indeed all residents have paid these increased charges for many months now, and since the Government has decided to allow public transport providers to return their operations to normal, it is only fair that the freight charges are also returned normal. As such, the Council urges those individuals providing public transport to return to the original transport charges immediately, ”the Council said.
The RDP also encouraged residents to continue practicing social distance where possible, to wear a face mask correctly if this is not possible as well as to frequently wash or sanitize their hands, respecting all COVID-19 guidelines as Founded by the Ministry of Health. .
The increase in prices in the community had also attracted the attention of the Mayor and Linden Town Council (LM&TC). Elderly people, in particular, were affected and had complained about the steep price rise in Linden.

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