Temporary increase in bus fares

THE Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) will increase fares on some major routes this Carnival weekend.

However, PTSC operations manager, Phil Subiah, told Newsday the minimal increases are temporary and have to be implemented to offset the additional costs the company faces at this time. The increase is 50 cents on transit buses and $1 on the express commuter services. Some of the routes where the fares would be applicable are Port-of-Spain to Arima, San Fernando, Chaguanas, Chaguaramas, Tunapuna and Sangre Grande. Notices advising of the increased fares were posted at all PTSC ticket outlets earlier this week. The increases take effect from Carnival Saturday to 2 am Ash Wednesday. Normal fares will return from 4 am on Ash Wednesday.

Subiah said the temporary increases were first introduced last Carnival. He explained that PTSC has not increased its fares in years and has no intention to do so now. However, because of the demand for safe transportation at this time, PTSC “costs increase tremendously.” Subiah said the increased costs to PTSC at Carnival were as much as 20 to 25 percent of its usual operational costs. He pointed out that the bus company has to pay additional sums for security, drivers, cleaners, ticketing and other staff since they have to work extended hours. There are a number of charter and other specialised services to various Carnival events being offered by PTSC this weekend. Subiah said the PTSC “wants to provide a safe environment and we have to be sensitive to the different markets. “People feel safe to know that they can get transport to go to J’ouvert in San Fernando and get back to Port-of-Spain.”