BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE St. Peters Bus Association has taken a step in dealing with misconceptions and abuse that its members have suffered because of some commuters paying less than the stipulated travel fare.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, President of the St. Peters Bus Association Calvin Martin reminded that in 2008 the Ministry of Transport increased the bus fare from St. Peters to Basseterre from $1.25 to $2.50, and that the fare rose from $0.75 to $1.25 for children under the age of 12 years,.
While – for the most part – persons have been abiding by this rule, Martin told this publication that school children 12 years and older are insistent on paying less than required.
He explained that what is particularly bothersome is that these school children would react in offensively when reminded of the correct fee by the bus operators.
“The travelling public seems to feel that children in high school are supposed to be paying $2.00. We are reminding the commuting public that children 11 years and under would pay $1.25 and persons 12 years and older would be paying $2.50.
“According to the increase that was given in 2008, the Ministry of Transport recommended that persons 12 years and older should pay $2.50 and anyone under 12 years would be paying $1.25. We have passengers paying less than the stipulated amount and when we ask for the correct fare they get offended.”
The St. Peter’s Bus Association President says as of September 1, 2012, all individuals who have attained the age of 12 years and over would have to pay the required $2.50 as $2.00 would no longer be accepted.
“I am reminding them that $2.50 for persons 12 years and older and $1.25 for persons under 11 years are the fares that were agreed upon in 2008. It is not that we are increasing any fares by asking high school children to pay $2.50; it is that that is the stipulated fare that was given by the government.”
In addressing those persons who – because of their jobs – would have to make the daily commute to the C. A. Paul Southwell Industrial Site, Martin said a special package has been put together.
“We are trying to cater for everybody. Of course we cannot cater for everybody as they would like and we know that these are difficult economic times. In order us to work with the public and the public work with us, we have worked out something for those persons who work at the C. A. Paul Industrial Site. Because the St. Peter’s Bus Route ends at the College Street Bus Stop, it means that to catch another bus to go to the Industrial Site would cost another $2.50. Sometime ago we had indicated that we would not be taking and additional $2.50 but we would only be taking $1.00.
“That stopped, but it is now being reintroduced bercause we are saying that we would be charging an additional $0.50. So, someone who boards a bus in St. Peter’s and would be travelling to the Industrial Site would pay $3.00. That is $2.50 from St Peter’s to Basseterre and the extra $0.50 from Basseterre to the Industrial Site. I think the additional $0.50 is more than reasonable to go to the Industrial Site.”
These changes – according to Martin – have been advertised via posters in the buses that ply the St. Peter’s Bus Route and he advised that the Association’s members expect full cooperation from the commuting public.
