Dear Sir /Madam:
I am writing this letter to you as a concerned citizen and hoping many of us with the same concern will make inputs for the well being of our citizenry.
I have observed that there has been no decrease on the bus fare since the price of fuel has gone down considerably on two occasions while the travelers have been paying the very same amount.
I can remember when the fuel price went up a bit, the Portsmouth bus fare was increased suddenly from $7.00 EC to $9.00 EC and since then we have been paying the same fare despite of the drastic decrease on the fuel price.
I am calling on the relevant authorities to look at this situation and make necessary adjustments for the benefit of us all.
I thank you in advance for taking in consideration my request. May the good Lord bless our nation!
Faithfully yours
Yves Joseph (Mr.)
I paid 40 dollars from Melville Hall Airport to Marigot one time, and I wonder how do these guys come up with such ridiculous prices.
You lucky it was not U.S.$.40! Sometimes they just say so and so much in dollars and when the tourist does not ask if that is E.C. dollars they will happily let him pay in U.S. and call him a fool behind his back. We need regulation and taxis that are registered as taxis should be metered. No more koko makak.
hello you educate yourself properly before you put you ideas before the public, the bus fare to portsmoutht is 9.75 not 9 dollars and we the bus drivers has been absorbing the cost all the time. diesel fuel use to sell at 5 dollars a gallon can you remember or do you even know what the price was then and the bus fare was 8 dollars .fuel has climbed the ladder rapidely to almost 15 dollars at which time one dollar and seventy five cents was added to bus fare and because fuel has fell by a few dollars in two weeks you want a reduction in bus fare. we opperated without a raise for almost 15 years while fuel prices rocketed now wiegh that and tell me if your statement is justified. ell if thats the way you want it bus fare will rise and fall as the fuel does oh and charging every cent
I think most bus drivers see this as a welcome bonus. It is a simple human reaction and they will say, why are you complaining, I am not charging you more, you are not losing anything! The question I do have is though “are bus drivers assessed for income tax”, especially so if bus fares are not subject to vat.
i have read every comment and im now going to put some sense u run for the day in mahaut u spent 90 on fuel now before the price went down i would have put 45 more so all the bus drivers are saving is 5 dollars on every gallon now do ur investigation the last price increase was not because fuel prices was up, at present base on the last time we had an increase which was in 2008 and it should be revisted. now irespective the fuel price went down now 2008 a new bus was 81000 today 145000 /tyres 700 for four today 1260 oil 10 a quart today 15 to 27 and the list goes on but base on the economy we willl let it rest for now but we a due for an increase fuel price is not the only factor for increase, now are we the only one benefiting in the decrease ur boses should now say u spent less on cooking gas u put less in ur car so lm giving u a cut in pay if such exist it would be trouble not only for bus drivers but the working force the bottom line is we all enjoy the decrease some way
the tax on petrol should be remove as well so life can be good Mr Joseph talk to the pm
Let us be reasonable. There are many times that the gas price has gone up and up and up and the fee has not gone up. I do understand that money is tight, but it is unfair to be bashing the bus drivers. I should also state that i am not a bus driver.
pussie 2 town was 7 then 8 now 9 for years while fuel was almost $16 a gallon not how Joseph says.
fuel down yes how about service parts and all what it takes to make the journey safe and comfortable, and all those of you who wants the buses to run with you alone when you don’t pay for the empty seats?
so tell me if i go buy a bus and make my passengers less lets say 7dollars ROSEAU TO PORTSMOUTH would i have any problem from other bus driver?
As I understand it a bus driver can ask what he wants and a passenger can accept or refuse. Unless I am wrong I think bus drivers are free to compete or are you saying that there is a quiet monopoly, an unwritten agreement and anyone who offers fares that are lower will be under threat? I seriously would like someone to explain that.
Tyre price remains the same
,a quart of oil gone up to $ 19.00 not easy to maintain a vehicle on that road so many things that I can talk about we to like things for free the price is ok
The price of bread too…
I cannot imagine that bus fare would reduce, because should the price of oil increase again then bus fare would have to be increased again.as for the bus drivers, I doubt they are enjoying the money since some of them are so dense. I agree with the majority of the comments on here. I would also like to add, it’s about time our drivers are given written tests, because quite of few of them would not receive their permits. Also before going on the road,heads need to be examined, becUse for the life of me, I do not understand bus drivers packing people into buses likes sardines and driving at such frightening reckless speeds on roads that are winding and preciptous, no regard for the lives of the people on board. To compound the issue, a whole lot of them are insultive and disrespectful. I’m sorry to rant but public transportation is just the absolute worse!
Hmmm, that is a good observation. Are bus drivers vetted to make sure that they do not pose a potential danger to the public? Do they drive under the influence for instance, not only alcohol but also the weed for that impairs your judgement and reaction time. Are there known paedophiles driving buses? I know a lot of drivers may be offended by such questions but the priority must be the safety of the public.
Isn’t there a regulatory authority governing the increase in bus fares? I was not aware that that authority rests with the bus drivers. Impossible to believe.
You wouldn’t BELIEVE how much authority bus drivers giving themselves. Especially when they run a line in places that are problematic for buses.
It’s basically a demand and supply issue so they give themselves PLENTY of authority.
Dem Bus drivers always crying things bad, is now they going mad, because you talking about drop dropping transportation fare.
I agree with Yves. I would like the price of fish to go down too because the fishermen did the same thing. If the price of fuel go down it should be passed on to the customers. Let fuel go up again and you will see how fast they will hike up fares and fish.
On top of that fishermen do not pay any tax on any money the get for their fish. Do you know any fisherman that works every day of the week? Well then, life must be good for them.
I am very happy that someone has decided to put this on the media since I have been saying that from since the gas prices started dropping, just never got around to putting it on the media cause I don’t take public transportation very often but I have been concerned about it. Good job mr Joseph hope your words don’t fall on death ears
I did not want to comment on this but these bus drivers are either greedy, they do not understand economics or they want more money to squander on little girls.
Come on, when gas price went up it was argued that we should pay more to create that economic balance for the owners and drivers of these public transports. Noe that fuel prices have significantly gone down they don;t wish to be involved in the lowering of bus fares.
People suffer on a daily and it is hard for many to pay bus on a daily especially when salaries remain stagnant for so many years with no sign it increase. Please make an even playing field by lowering fares when gas is low. No problem in adjusting and making a public announcement about it so people knmow how much to pay.
good point. “high way” robbery. pun intended
The man has a point but I guess bus drivers will argue that they are making up for fares being kept down when fuel prices went up. Anyway, I think the time has come to set up a proper regulated transport service, like the bus service they have in Barbados for example with time schedules. Right now in Dominica it is like the wild west, everyone doing their own thing, drivers not respecting passengers, blaring loud music in every body’s ear. |Why don’t we have a regular bus service to the airport at Melville Hall for instance at reasonable fares. That would be good for locals and visitors, instead of having to pay $100/each way per passenger from Roseau to the airport using a so called taxi. And why have they removed the board with taxi fares at the airport?
Your idea while good, do not use Barbados as an example because their systems are regulated and is owned by their government. While I sympathize with private enterprise all such services should be under the direction of governments. You would have regulated fares and a structured schedule all over the island where possible. All the islands doing better than Dominica or most of them anyway have that in place, but to be honest, if that was proposed in DA there would be a national fall out. I think in the 21st century Dominica/Dominicans would be elevated to such consciousness. It is ok to have private enterprises but essential services should remain with governments. Some will not like what I have said but to improve we need these changes. Dominicans are being gauched by these bus drivers. People running the show have vehicles so they don’t suffer. In short Dominica’s administrators don’t really care and can always con the masses to vote them in, regardless of which govt
I have to agree with you anonymous. It is time that government takes over many of the essential services in Dominica. Have an input. Why should bus fares be so expensive in Dominica? Today we are all suffering because of so much pollution with all of those private transports driving into town every day. With a government owned bus system with a regulated price and car pooling many people would take the bus into town for work and there would be less pollution. Government too should be more involved in farming an essential necessity to ensure that the foods that we eat especially the imported meats were better.
People we are killing off our own selves. Maybe this has no relation but I had to say it.
It’s true…he didn’t lie….bus drivers sitting pretty right now.
ESPECIALLY GOODWILL BUS DRIVERS!!! $1.75 from hospital to the bridge….magway sah!!
I have the same issue as soon as gas price gone up they quick to raise the fare it
Been months now no decrease
I am in full agreement with you Mr. Joseph .