Increased bus fares now in effect

Stories by Kemarlie Durrant

Government has approved increases in bus and taxi fares in St Vincent and the Grenadines effective yesterday, September 1.
The increase in bus fares ranges from 50 cents in some instances to $2.00, depending on the distance. Short drops have also seen an increase.

Areas in North Windward and North Leeward have seen the highest increase, ranging from $1.00- $2.00, while some rural areas will see increases of between 50 cents to $1.00.

In addition, the bus fare for the immediate Kingstown suburbs has increased by 50 cents, while any distance of one mile or less (short drops) has moved from $1.00 to $2.00.

Based on the 2011 omni-bus fares, commuters from Chateaubelair and beyond were required to pay $6.00 to and from Kingstown. However, they are now required to pay $8.00. From areas such as Rose Bank and Rose Hall the bus fare has been increased by $1.00 from $6.00 to $7.00. In areas such as Coulls Hill and Spring Village the commuters will now be required to pay $6.00, a $1.00 increase. Commuters from the fishing town of Barrouallie are now required to pay $5.00 to Chateaubelair and areas beyond Chateaubelair; while persons travelling to and from Rose Bank, Troumaca, Rose Hall and Petit Bordel will be required to pay $4.00 between those areas and Barrouallie. Commuters in all other areas in North leeward would be required to pay $2.00- $3.00.

In Central Leeward commuters will be required to pay between 50 cents to $1.00 more. In areas such as Barrouallie and Walliabou, the bus fare has increased by $1.00 to $5.00. In areas such as Layou the increase is 50 cents, and is therefore now $3.50.

In the south Leeward, West, East and Central Kingstown areas the bus fare has attracted a 50-cent increase.

Commuters in the Marriaqua Valley will pay an additional 50 cents to and from Kingstown depending on their village of residence. The fare from areas such as Evesham, Carriere and Mesopotamia has moved from $3.00 to $3.50; while that for areas such as Richland Park has been increased from $4.00 to $5.00.

In the East and West St. George villages the bus fare has been increased by 50 cents.

However, some areas such as Belair and Dauphine in West St. George have not attracted an increase, and the fare therefore remains at $2.50.

In areas such as Calliaqua, Glen and Villa the bus fare has moved from $2.00 to $2.50; while areas such as Fair Hall, Prospect and Ratho Mill have been increased from $2.50 to $3.00.

In South Windward the bus fare has been increased by between 50 cents and $1.00.

The new fare in areas such as Stubbs, Calder and Argyle is now $4.00; while in areas such as Peruvian Vale, Spring and Biabou the fare has moved from $4.00 to $5.00.

In North and South Central Windward districts, the authorities have granted an increase of $1.00. In such villages as San Souci, Diamonds, Greiggs, North Union and South Union the bus fare has moved from $5.00 to $6.00; while in North Central Windward in areas such as Byera, Colonaire, South Rivers and Park Hill the fare has increased from $5.00 to $6.00; and in areas such as Georgetown and Dickson the fare is now $7.00, an increase of $1.00 North Windward has been granted an increase of $2.00. Commuters living in Fancy are now required to pay $9.00 instead of $7.00; while commuters in areas such as Owia, Sandy Bay, Point and Overland now pay $8.00 instead of $6.00. In addition, commuters who live beyond the Rabacca Dry river and are travelling to Georgetown will be required to pay an increase in bus fare ranging from $2.00- $5.00, with commuters from Fancy paying $5.00; Owia and Point $4.00; Sandy Bay $3.00 and areas such as Overland and Magum $2.00.
On Bequia in the Grenadines the increase ranges from $2.00- $2.50.