The Government of Guyana is warning public transportation operators that no fare increase has been approved for minibuses, hire cars, taxis, speedboats, or airport taxis, and passengers should not be forced to pay more than the established rates.
Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill made the government’s position clear during an engagement with public transport owners and operators at the Stabroek Market Square, following growing complaints of arbitrary fare increases.
Edghill said fares remain unchanged and warned that no driver or operator has the authority to remove a passenger from a vehicle or vessel for refusing to pay an unapproved increase.
He urged citizens, tourists, workers, and students to report any operator who demands higher fares or engages in harassment. According to the Minister, regulators will take firm action against those found breaching the approved fare structure.
The meeting brought together several agencies and officials, including Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues, MARAD Director General Captain Stephen Thomas, Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh, and representatives of the Public Utilities Commission.
Minister Rodrigues reminded commuters that public transportation is treated as a public utility and that passengers are protected against price gouging. She said formal complaints can be lodged with the Public Utilities Commission where persons are charged above the approved fare.
Rodrigues noted that complaints are often made about fares suddenly doubling during heavy traffic or busy periods such as Christmas. She said such arbitrary increases are unacceptable and distort fair market conditions.
Both ministers also pointed to measures taken by the government to cushion citizens and operators from rising global costs, including removing fuel taxes, absorbing increases in shipping costs, and reducing duties on key commodities.
The government’s warning follows reports that some speedboat operators left passengers stranded at the Parika and Bartica stellings after refusing to work for the standard fares.
Captain Thomas said operating licences are a privilege and depend on compliance with regulations and passenger safety standards. He warned that operators who engage in price gouging can have their licences suspended or revoked.
He also said MARAD has already recorded the identities of operators who left passengers stranded over the weekend and intends to move against them.
While maintaining that unauthorised fare hikes will not be tolerated, the government acknowledged concerns raised by operators over the rising and unregulated cost of vehicle spare parts.
To address this, officials said the government will engage major importers and distributors of automotive parts to explore ways of reducing overhead costs for transport providers.
Edghill also issued a final instruction that all public transportation operators, including minibuses, taxis, and speedboats, must clearly display approved fare structures inside their vehicles or vessels where passengers can see them.
The government said it remains committed to maintaining a public transportation system that is safe, affordable, and fair to both operators and commuters.
