Bus tariff increase
to offset fuel price
WILLEMSTAD--In light of the rising cost of living and particularly the announced phased increase of the price of gasoline by a total of forty cents per litre and the price of diesel fuel, also phased, by a total of seventy cents, Curaçao’s Executive Council decided to ask the Antillean Ministry of Economic Affairs to increase the minimum wage on the island immediately by five per cent and adapt the bus tariffs.
It was also decided to adapt the subsidy for buses transporting schoolchildren, and to look into the prices in the harbour.
The proposed minimum wage increase will amount to about 51.80 guilders per month. The unemployment pay will be increased to 272.90 per two weeks and the AOV old age pension will be raised as well.
Those involved in the mandatory social education programme will also receive a 55 guilder increase in their monthly allowance, on top of the annual transport subsidy they receive.
The new bus tariffs for both the large government buses and the small privately-owned buses go into effect today, Tuesday.
The tariffs for small buses that run within the “town district” are now NAf. 1.55 in the daytime and NAf. 1.60 at night. In the second district (including suburbs), the new tariffs are NAf. 1.95 in the daytime and NAf. 2.30 at night. Tariffs for the third district, including the West side (Bandabou) and East side (Bandariba), are now NAf. 3.10 in the daytime and NAf. 3.80 at night.
For the government-owned bus company ABC (large buses), the new tariffs are NAf. 1.60 in the town and second districts, and in the third district NAf. 2.10 in the daytime and NAf. 2.35 at night.
The union of private bus drivers is angry and said its members would not apply the new tariffs. The union believes people simply cannot afford it and that government should have found another solution.
The Executive Council also decided to study what can be done about the lack of trailers in the harbour and how Curaçao Ports Services and freight handler AGT can specify their charges. The charges will be looked at as well, to minimise as much as possible expenses that push up the prices of imported products.
Terms of Reference will also be established for the quality of gasoline and diesel fuel.
To keep better tabs on the sale of government price-controlled products, six more controllers will be hired. The possibility of placing more products on the list will be examined as well.
A request will also be made to the Finance Minister to exempt some food products considered basic commodities from import duties and the OB sales tax.
Water and electricity prices will go up as well on May 28. Utilities company Aqualectra had already requested an increase of 19 per cent for electricity and eight per cent for water last month.
