On Monday 17th August, students plying the Dominica State College (DSC) route in Stockfarm will have to dig a little deeper into their pockets since a bus fare hike will come into effect.
Vice President of the Stockfarm Bus drivers Association (SBA) Phillip Dover, told Dominica News Online (DNO) that the price increase will be instituted because of what he called an abuse by the working students.
Normally students are required pay $1.25, following a 25 cents increase last year, and adults (non students) who ply the route pay $1.75.
But Dover said the system is being abused by many students who are also working adults and who continue to pay the regular $1.25 fare.
“We watch that as an abuse of the bus drivers,” he noted. “So what we decide as an organization to do; we still wouldn’t charge them the $1.75 but we will charge them at least a $1.50 across the board. So we still have a break down for them, we leave at least a $0.25 for them, because they are college students.”
He said there were mixed feelings among members of the association with at least 50 percent “feeling different about the additional $0.25” and the other half felt “that we should just go for the $1.75.”
However, “we still decide that we are having a little pity and as the executive we are leaving it at $1.50,” Dover noted.
He said the new price will become effective before the start of the new academic school year so that students can become familiar with the change and members have been advised to place posters in their buses to inform the public.
Meantime, Dover noted that a new Road Maintenance Levy approved recently by Cabinet is not going down well with the association.
According to him things are “tight” and “rough” for bus drivers in the Stockfarm area especially during the summer months and now they have to dig up an additional $150.00 to pay the new levy by September 2015.
“I’m on the bus stop whole day and I can tell you that there are buses who are not making $50 a day,” he stated. “For the summer it tight, it rough, and I hear some fellas saying by September they going to pay their license and they have to find a $150 to put in it. So I can tell you it tight for the Stockfarm bus drivers.”
Presently there are about 37 buses plying the Stockfarm route.
Bottom line: Gov’t has to invest hevily in boosting agriculture and creating employment in AGRICULTURE. Think about it you will see what is meant here.
Dominica has no price regulations. Everything goes. These are the measures that should be put in place to stabilize a country. Everyone does what they want when they want. SMH.
Hmmm this topic brings a few points to mind;
1. Why are there 37 bus drivers operating that route, I understand that we are not all privileged enough to be doctors, lawyers, etc. but I feel this is a profession that is overcrowded.
2. I believe if we had to do a survey a to the amount of working adults attending the State College in comparison with those who are merely students with parental support, the working adults would be the minority; this is resulting in a Peter is paying for Paul situation because I know quite a few people who are struggling with the current costs associated with college.
3. While I understand that they are working adults, these are people have rent to pay, themselves to support, children depending on them, bills to pay and are merely trying to further their education to better their life.
4. This is also going to affect bus fares all around as bus drivers operating other routes will feel that they need to increase the cost for students as well.
37 buses on an association doesn’t mean 37 buses on a route everyday. some of the buses on the association don’t drive that route.
OMG those roads bad.
Heavy and consistent traffic with also rain could cause it.
So what does the Transport Board have to say about all this? Are the bus drivers going to be allowed to break the law? Does nobody respect the law in this country?
this is a stupid comment, cause they are suppose to be paying $1.75 in the first place. no law is being broken.
If you are old enough to vote you are an adult. Pay your fare.
But wait approval for those increase comes from Government- help me please I want to know. So people just raising things, offering recognition, etc with Government say or approval now. Stupes.
They crying they not making money, but 37 buses? Hmm …something must be nice!
I don’t see the need for so many buses plying the Stockfarm route, too many buses. Why don’t some of them go back to the farm to till the soil?
37 buses on an association doesn’t mean 37 buses on a route everyday. some of the buses on the association don’t drive that route.
why are there so many buses on this route? maybe the government should invest in a school bus system and allow the bus drivers to ply the country routes which are more lucrative. I don’t believe it should be one fare across the board for students and working adults. let us be realistic , many students don’t live in Roseau and have to take more than one bus to get to school and back home.
37 buses on an association doesn’t mean 37 buses on a route everyday. some of the buses on the association don’t drive that route.
Without reading any comments on here, i have 1 question. Can bus drivers legally increase their prices without approval form government/ transport board?
Someone with knowledge , kindly clarify. If this is the case then the common man is in trouble as all bus drivers on every route will simply increase their fees as they see fit. SMFH!!
they have phone plans for $100. iphones and htc you know
they put weave worth up to 450 a packet.
they but one jeans for up to 200 just to b in style.
they eat at escape bar and grill at least twice a week which totals to over a hundred each night
the cost of life they live is unbelievable.
jah know boyyy
he will judge
1.75 they cant pay?
Labaaaarrrr, you love your PM nuh? You vex the bus price go up nuh? Well take it like grown men because the country NICEEEEEEEEEEE boy!
Assertive, NOT at all Aggressive!
Who talking about fair¿ do you want to pay same price as preschoolers get real college students live more adult live and luxory than the,working class every jam new out fit gtablet phone and more when is for business its always a struggle when is too party never an issue taxi they hiring to pay a .25 cents is issue set your piority straight get real
Bus drivers should not complain , since they are the biggest investors in cell phones and top up for minors.
The bus drivers should be happay that the new state college which can accomodate thousands of students can be seen as an avenue to make a living by providing bus service. Before that what were the bus drivers doing. They should say thank u to the government. Its competition out there and unless they organise themselves the rat race will continue.
U would like to see the roads to stock farm like oil. Then as a good citizen is 60 cent a day hard to pay? A beer is $5.00. How many do u have a day. If the roads are good then u have less brakes to buy, less suspension parts, less fuel to buy. Do the maths?
So let me get this, in one breath you saying you raising the fares across the board, in the other breath you saying that 150.00 a year you have to pay to maintain the roads you got for free you saying things tight. Only in Dominica people can be so openly bold face and gets away with it, you all lucky this not a place where another company could come in and do the job for the old price.
are you stupid the roads are not free. the taxes we pay, pay for the roads and yes things tight. shut your damn month !!!!!!!
Dominica is not the only country where people get angry over price hikes, it’s the only country where people truly want everything for nothing. When you consider the price of fuel, used tires, food and clothes on the island I am surprised the bus fare is still this low. Any person the age of 12 should pay the same fare regardless if you’re a student or baboon.
The Mayor of Toronto has exempt students to age 8 or 12 (if I am correct) from paying bus fares. The fare increases annually. Adults are not pleased because some of the students’ parents can afford to pay their bus fares.
There are also other older students and senior citizens fares. The fare is still high. Anyway, Toronto is an expensive city to reside.
The Toronto Transit is practically operated by the City of Toronto. The D/ca college/ university should have its own transit or the government.
While I agree that there is a bit of a mentality of wanting everything for nothing. I think it is keen to point out that salaries here are quite low in comparison to other places, thus persons barely have disposable income after having paid their bills, much less for now with these increases we will be seeing.
So working students and those who are not working how to pay the same. How fair is that? I already have to pay to come to town, now there’s an increase to go to stockfarm. Next school year it will go up again. Times hard, not JUST for the bus drivers.
If you are a student, you should only pay an arranged flat fare from your place of residence to Stockfarm. I suppose this is something the government/college should look into for all students. You should address this to your Parl Rep.
As an afterthought, if you do not find the walk to Stockfarm far and strenuous (knowing the hot sun and sometimes rain), you could walk to and from Stockfarm to save some money. Just a thought.
So many buses for that short distance…best some of the buses run the country line and make more?
I agree! So many people struggling to reach the interior villages like Belles etc. Those people always pull up along the Bena Wavin bridge and sticking out their finger for ride….maybe some of those bus drivers need to start running that line for real.
37 buses on an association doesn’t mean 37 buses on a route everyday. some of the buses on the association don’t drive that route.
This is illegal, bus fare can’t be hiked without the authorization of the power may be.students challenge the bus drivers,buy snickers and start to walk.Great stimulation for the brains.person.It’s a matter ofPeter paying for Paul.
$1.50 allu making noise for????? That’s only about .50¢ US….THAT allu crying for??? Pay allu fares, pay allu taxes, that’s what you all voted for, remember? Suck it up people. Maybe when wages are down to ZERO allu will stand up to the government.
Five more years!! LMBO
For you it is only 0.50 US. For them it is higher. The cost of living in D/ca is high. Personally, I do not know how some people, especially the poor, manage when they have to purchase butter, sugar, toothpaste etc. This is the reason why some of us remain in the cold country, as much as we would love to return to our beloved homeland. At least, from time to time we get sales as stores compete with each other.
There is a special fare (even though it is still expensive) for students and senior citizens in especially Toronto, no doubt elsewhere in the country, compared to regular fare for workers.
Any senior citizen, no matter how rich, well-to-do could purchase bus tickets at a lower cost with no questions asked; not even an ID unless the ticket collector is in a doubt of their age.
No matter which government is in power, it is to be expected that taxes and other prices will be increased. It is a way of life which no one can escape from. Taxes are inevitable.
I know this happens in the UK and the USA, but these buses are Gov’t owned buses but we have private owned buses in DA. so if I’m driving my own bus in DA, how do u expect me to charge the seniors less than the other commuters?
I do not expect the drivers who own buses to do that. The government could subsidize it, if there is money to do so.
Make sure allu have exactly 1.25…pay dem and bounce..who vex lost
Do not make me laugh. Anyway, they should always try to have exact change. It also lessens time spent to give change.
In Toronto it is exact change or tickets or tokens. The bus drivers do not sell tickets or tokens. They must be purchased from the subway ticket collector or from convenience stores.
A new system recently for convenience sake, they could also use a credit card at the subway to purchase them.
This was also brought about due to criminals who would hold up the drivers and steal the money.
As time progresses, I foresee that the system will change in Dominica.
I forgot to mention we also have a monthly Metro pass which is less expensive than purchasing individual tickets or tokens. Keeping you informed. Probably someday this could take effect in D/ca.
This is illegal. There is a set bus fare by the government and the bus drivers cannot just take on their own and decide to raise prices. Someone from the regulatory commission needs to quote the laws of Dominica to these bus drivers. This country is not a free for all do what you want when you want. SOMEBODY DEAL WITH THIS NONESENSE AND GET THOSE BUS DRIVERS THE LAWS OF THE LAND
Tell that to Skerrit.
It is interesting to know. Then the bus drivers are not allowed to raise the fares and demand whatever price they feel the students should pay. This should be addressed to the government or their Parl Rep.
License fee is paid once a year, private vehicle owners got the increase also so what’s Dover point. He suppose to defrenciate between a student and a resisident or adult of stockfarm. Don’t punish the students because license price gone up. Stop playing politics. Remember a lot of Dominicans own priavate ride so the bus drivers can or will suffer also . Pure nonsense
Lol. Playing politics? Who makes laws? politicians? What do laws affect? Peoples lives? So I don’t understand the logic here. Enlighten me labourite.
“differentiate”.
They should all have ID’s to identify them as students and other which they should show to the driver. If they do not have a student ID, they should pay the full fare.
That’s not what he is saying, he is referring to those students who are working so even if they would have an ID, what difference does it makes
Do you mean full-time work? Are they part-time students? If so, they should pay the full fare.
It appears the government will have to get together with the drivers and discuss this issue. Something should be done.
this was discussed with the office of the State College before it was communicated to students it wasn’t just imposing an increase. this increase was not as a result of the Government rasing road tax.
Boy see what Skerrit doing to poor Dominicans… SMH
When you a comunity with one bus to every 20 people then how de hell you expext to make money. Too many policemen driving bus up there mr dover. Look how far mahaut is and it is 250. From malcom stevens to Skerrit and eo leblanc highway then up a hill. If someone should get an increase i doe think is allu. And dont forgt the 150 on the licence works out to 52c a day eh. Anyway bus drivers
Well you see God has blest thes students with health. So I advise that u get an umbrella and walk to school. See the Ross students they love to walk. Its right around the bend. If you can’t walk up then wwalk down.
This was done in former years. When I resided in D/ca and was a Legion of Mary, we were given assignments. One of it was to visit the prison and pray with the prisoners.
We walked to Stock Farm from Roseau and back. The walk was not bad. If it is further, then probably they would need to take a bus.
Today, Dominica has many buses to Goodwill and elsewhere. This did not exist in those days. No wonder no one walks these days – no exercise. People were slimmer then and more in shape.
If they could they should walk and always keep an umbrella with them for the sun and rain. Even a raincoat and for the women, also a rain bonnet.
sugar, please read and understand, the extra $0.25 is added to working students, adult students that are working and going to college. I agree to the bus drivers, it’s tough. we all have it tough, inspite of fuel price been dropped, the bus levy has been riased. some of us working adult students too wicked, we would not have liked it , if we were in the bus drivers position. Ask yourself what can your $1.50 do to fix a tire , muchless to buy one.
You are not collecting one $1.50, in one trip u would probably collect 13 $1.50’s
Govt. provides free bus service for secondary school students. Why not for State College Students? After all, didn’t mr. Skerrit say that he wants a graduate in every household?
PS. And I’m hearing that the President of the College is complaining that a lot of the students do not evn pay the fees they are supposed to. I’m a [pensioner and I don’t get a free ride.
There in the U.S government supply free school bus for all students .up til 12 grade ….but when the students go to college or university they are on their own ….so I don’t see your point .what it is you all want everything for free all the time so
There should be a decreased fare for all students whether secondary, college or university students.
Some students in Toronto have part-time jobs but they are classified as students and pay student fares. They just have to show their ID to the bus driver to ensure they are under 18 years and/or are students..
Let your PM and/or your Parl Rep know. I hope this changes and soon enough for all students.
well to all u dem bus drivers dre my foot doe break nuh unless de pm doe put a price am nt gng to pay extra so wen i give all u de dollar 25 all u will sit dwn by it and cry stuppess on college children all u want to live on
You cannot do that. You must pay the required bus increase. Comply with the fare increase. If you don’t the driver may put you out. Be obedient, keep well and safe until (hopefully) the fare is changed for all students.
Is this supposed to be English or gobbledegook? And if it is a student may God help us.
Bus drivers and for that matter no one can just increase bus fares without the approval of the Dominica Transport Board.
When I last checked there is only one entity under the law which approves rates and that is “The Dominica Transport Board”. That Board must now advised all students that the rates were not approved and as such should not pay any increase.
No one association can unilaterally untake to increase fares on its own. Where is the law enforcement community. Is that association playing a “Goodwill/Danny Lugay/Lindo Park” game on the students.
Waiting for the statement from the Dominica Transport Board and the Ministry denouncing the rate increase. They must be told that it is illegal and contrary to law.
Mr. Skerrit can raise tax unilaterally! Really, you all getting me vexed now. Pay, what you have to pay. I don’t get my groceries free or at a discount but you all want everything free.
Can bus drivers hike prices on their own. Thought it comes from the Transport board, licensing department.
Who is de president?
You all hijacked de regular stock farm residents……all you passing straight to run go college.
Residents left stranded and walking.
Long time you guys want to hike it on stock farm residents.
Blocking de college road to pick up students.
All you afraid of tackling stock farm residents because all you robbing and limiting their service.
Some taking $1.75 others demanding $2.00 sometimes more.
So all you trying to make it on de students head.
A student rate is a student rate.
Non student is non student.
37 bus for one community…….all you will never make money.
I observe greed and selfishness on that bus stop.
To maximize profit all you try to overcrowd de bus.
Just now all you will ask people to pay $2.50 to go stock farm.
People paying $3.00 to go all de way to jimmit.
That is why very few of them make any money. Over 35 serving one route, how can that work? But still everybody in Dominica wants to be a bus driver because it appears to be easy money. Soon every third vehicle on our roads will be a bus. Where is the licensing authority? Stop issuing licenses and make sure these vehicles are road-worthy!
37 buses on an association doesn’t mean 37 buses on a route everyday. some of the buses on the association don’t drive that route.
WHAT!!! 37 BUSES for stockfarm only…What happen, New York that there man..lol
In New York (US) and Canada, the local buses are operated by the City. They are not privately owned. They are also organized with a standard fare for adults and students.
The D/ca government should look into this.
These drivers are starting to irritate me,they just increase the pricing last year, gas went down the price didn’t….absolutely no one complained!!
That is just too much. You cannot expect college chilrren who are under 18 like myself to pay. 1.50 from the flat by public works to college. They should differ the price because in the two bus stops because everybodg parents struggling just like the bus drivers.
Wonder how much the cell phone you own cost…. struggling EC$1.50. Exaggeration much?
I love how you assume how every child that goes up to college has the latest phone and the latest fashions. Some people do struggle and it’s tight for everyone. The increase is unfair to the students and if they feel like the working adults take advantage, then hike up their bus fare. The same way they have signs saying what children, students and adults pay, is the same way the can add working adult students to that category as well. I refuse to do this Peter for Paul nonsense.
Has this increase been sanctioned by the relavant Government Agency or is it a free-for-all?
Its $150 per year , it not monthly so whats the big deal.
Good job.
What buses making 0.50. So why a buses move only when they are filled and all the buses on the route get people. Is the greedy ones who driving all over where is not there route to make more doing it happening too so by the time they their on other people route and they come bu stop we done go already, but listen they already make their money who fool you
37 buses!!!! and you all expect to make money?
37 buses on an association doesn\’t mean 37 buses on a route everyday. some of the buses on the association don\’t drive that route.
every year they adding a $0.25 to it. smh
Mr. President, do you have the authority to make any adjustments to bus fare on your own accord? Doesn’t this fall under the auspices of the National Transport Board? You should seek some advice on this decision from the relevant authority.
The bus drivers had an alternative in December, they made their chooses, therefore, I support all actions taken by the banks or other financial agencies. What Skeritt must now do is to stop them from increasing the bus fares.
Doc. I do not agree. The cost for carrying a passenger is the same for the bus driver, whether student or not. In essence they are subsidizing the students. Why should they do that? Are we asking shopkeepers to sell their wares cheaper to students? If there is any subsidizing to be done it should be Govt. and not out of bus drivers’ pockets.
They cannot increase bus fares without the say-so of Cabinet. And the Dominica Transport Board can only make a PROPOSAL. They cannot force Cabinet to okay that. They (Stockfarm bus-drivers) don’t know they opening a can of worms there??
They better watch out…they already didn’t vote for El Supremo, they better don’t step on his toe…lol.
Your threats are idle. The bus drivers can refuse to go to the college and who is going to force them? mr. Skerrit? If all else fails, strike.
The bus fare to Stockfarm as approved by the Transport Board is $1.75; however, the Stockfarm bus drivers decided to charge students a lower rate of $1.25. They have now presented their case for the increase which is still below the approved rate.
BTW, if 2 of the 30+ bus drivers from Stockfarm voted for the DLP I would be surprise. All these guys supported Lugay
Exactly my point! So they (Stockfarm bus drivers) trying to raise the prices arbitrarily on college students without El Supremo’s approval…they didn’t vote for him and if I understand El Supremo well, his philosophy is, “who not for me against me”…
And by the way to the blogger called ‘Me’…I didn’t threaten you Sir/Madam…I have no need to. I don’t have any family/friends/inmates to go visit at StockFarm…so I have no need to use your services, far more to ‘threaten’ you…Bon!
DNO ADMIN,
1. Who gives them the right to increase fares?
2. Working or not a student remains a student!
3. 37 buses on the ROUTE. Mr. Phillip too many buses! That’s why you making 50 per day.
The population has not increase. 10/15 years ago if stockfarm had 10 buses that was alot.
is that fare ? increase for one set ….wow and your reason is because an adult going to school and working…. collage subjects have gone up to ………wow
With whose authority
But… 1.25 to go to Mahaut… up that slope is 1.25? now might be more? So now Mahaut bus drivers gonna feel robbed
to go Mahaut is actually $2.50 for adults
There should be regulations restricting the number of buses on a route. 37 Buses? are u joking Phillip?
37 buses on an association doesn\’t mean 37 buses on a route everyday. some of the buses on the association don\’t drive that route.