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Date Posted: Monday 07 July, 2008

Over 30 public bus operators go on strike in Nevis
…Parry requests two days for PUC to formalise fare increase procedure

By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – COMMUTERS on Nevis had a rude awakening this morning when they learnt that public transport bus operators were on strike demanding legal permission be granted for them to increase bus fares by 50 cents due to the rising costs of fuel.

In a heated dialogue within a conference room of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) at Bath Plains, bus operators said they would continue with the strike until Premier Joseph Parry goes on air and make public that a mechanism would be in place to allow them to increase the current fares by 50 cents.

Although today is the Premier’s birthday, he gave the 30-plus bus operators audience for them to air their grievances.

President of the Bus Operators Association Curt Swanston told the Premier that the Public Utility Commission (PUC), headed by Attorney-at-Law Geoffrey Nisbett, has allegedly delayed a process intended to formalise the increase of fares.

Swanstan and a cross-section of bus operators said inspite of the delay by the PUC, authorities went on air and said that bus fares could not be increased in Nevis until the necessary legal framework was put in place.

They said the Junior Minister of Transport, Carlisle Powell, had promised them that the procedure would have been in place by now. However, Powell was not at this morning’s crisis meeting.

They were assured by the Premier that the NIA would work in their best interest. He said by making demands through protests and a strike, they were exercising their rights. “I will not get angry with any of you. You are exercising your rights. You will get an increase. I need two days to consult with the PUC and I will communicate my process to your President.”

The bus operators demanded that action be formalised today, but the Premier said certain formal procedures have to be put in place within a two-day period.

“It is a matter of procedure. We have agreed in principle. We will have the increase. I cannot disregard the process of PUC otherwise they say I am disrespecting them. The Cabinet has agreed in principle that you will get the increase. A letter will be written within two days. I know it is absolutely urgent,” he said.

The Premier told the bus operators that it was not in the interest of NIA to deprive them of their bread. “We are here to come to an understanding to help everybody. I will speak to Geoffrey Nisbett and make a statement today,” he added.