St. George’s, Grenada, November 16, 2009: The Ministry of Works, Physical Development and Public Utilities says it intends to repair the damaged Brizan/Perseverance roadway as quickly as possible, and it’s asking bus operators who normally ply the route to refrain from illegally increasing the price of travel in the interim.
 
 The roadway was damaged on Sunday during rock blasting in the area. Since then, commuters have had to take alternative longer routes to get to and from St. George’s.
 
 The Ministry has been receiving reports from commuters, who complain of being charged additional fares by some bus operators.
 
 A Ministry of Works official described the increase in fare as “illegal.’’
 
 “Bus operators are reminded that there is a procedure in place that must be followed in order to obtain an increase in fares,’’ he said. “As far as the Ministry is aware, no formal application to increase bus fares has been made to the relevant body responsible for granting an increase in fares. Any increase in bus fares at this time is therefore illegal.’’
 
 On Monday, November 16, staff of the Ministry of Works met with representatives of the Traffic Department of the Royal Grenada Police Force and of the National Bus Association.
 
 The Bus Association members – representing drivers who work the Brizan/Perseverance route – were asked to maintain the current fares for a period of two weeks. It was agreed that at the end of the two-week period, the situation will be reviewed.
 
 The Ministry of Works official said that while the concerns of bus operators taking a longer route are fully understood, they are still being urged to “desist from implementing any illegal increase in fares in the present circumstances.’’
 
 He added: “Considers this situation to be a national emergency, where all parties must work together in the national interest. The increase in fares will cause more burden on the travelling public, in already difficult economic times.
 
 The official reiterated that the Ministry is working fervently to ensure that the Brizan/Perseverance roadway is repaired in the “shortest possible time.’’
 
 Additionally, he said, “work is currently being undertaken on the alternative route to make it more user-friendly.’’

Sponsors