Commercial
drivers within the Greater Banjul Area have increased transport fares, saying
it’s the result of the declaration of the state of public emergency by
government.
President
Adama Barrow made the declaration in a televised statement on Friday evening
designed to stem the spread of the deadly covid-19.
The
proclamation orders commercial drivers to reduce the number of passengers by
half, while non-essential commodity shops, bars, cafés, casinos, sporting
venues and all forms of public gatherings ordered for closure.
In
response to the declaration, commercial drivers have decided to increase fares
of transport across Greater Banjul Area, with taxis charging D10 instead of D8.
Passengers now pay D15 from Banjul-Westfield and D35 from Brikama-Westfield.
“Things
are very bad for us since the increment in the price of fuel. We pleaded with
government to reduce the price of fuel but we don’t hear anything,” said
Yusupha Colley, a taxi driver.
He
added that they increased the price of fares to recover their monies spent on
fuel after the declaration that forced them to reduce number of passengers.
Gibriel
Sidibeh, a van driver, blamed the government for declaring the state of
emergency, adding that things are very difficult in the country.
“This
proclamation has just added the difficult moment to our businesses. We as
commercial drivers are also affected by this declaration,” he said.
“We
are all praying for the eradication of the covid-19 but government should also
try to revisit its declaration of the state of public emergency.
Gambia
government should emulate other countries after making such declaration,” said
Lamin Fatty, another taxi driver.
He
revealed that taxi drivers are really suffering in the country and this is one
of the times when they can make government to adhere to their call.
Meanwhile,
passengers have also complained about the unexpected increase of fares.
Aminata
Gibba, a passenger, accused commercial drivers of being ungrateful, adding that
most of them always like to take advantage of this kind of situation.
“Honestly,
some commercial vehicle drivers are very greedy. Most of them will always want
to capitalise on this situation,” she said.
Jainaba
Manneh, another passenger also described the situation as worrisome, while
urging government to intervene.
“The government should come up with measures,
if possible, detain some drivers who are increasing fares especially when the
country is faced with such a situation,” she said.
Meanwhile,
The Gambia Transport Union has expressed its disappointment over drivers’
attitude under this circumstance.
“We
call for the fares to remain as they were. We as the Transports Union in the
country never called or supported the increment of fares under such
circumstances,” Omar Ceesay, president of Gambia Transport Union told The
Point.
He
urged all the drivers to stick to normal fares, adding that they (the union)
have discussed with government through the Trade Ministry to see how best the
government can support commercial drivers.
“I
urge my fellow drivers to understand that government called for the reduction
of passengers because of the coronavirus problems. The reduction of passengers
was enforced to help, not only passengers but the drivers and everyone,” he
said.