With
effect from 21 August 2017, all transport tariffs and fares will be reduced,
the Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, Bai Lamin Jobe, has
announced.
“The
reductions in transport fares and tariffs are adopted in line with the current
decrease in domestic retail price of fuel and after thorough consultations with
all the relevant government stakeholders, transport unions and associations,”
he said in a press conference held at the ministry’s conference room on Friday.
The
minister said the reduction is geared towards complementing the efforts of the
government in ensuring that basic services are affordable in a fair manner and
accessible to all.
Following
the last increment of fares, there has been “significant reduction of 25 per
cent” in the price of fuel in the country for a period of time.
“This
prompted the government through consultations with various stakeholders,
including transport unions and associations, to negotiate and ensure a downward
revision of transport fares both for passengers and commodities,” Mr Jobe said.
He
commended both taskforce members and transport unions and associations for
their fruitful efforts at working out an “equitable fare reduction” which
resulted in a win-win situation for all parties.
Essa
Drammeh, director of Planning at the Ministry of Transport, Works and
Infrastructure, advised the general public, especially the drivers and
transporters, to comply with the new fares and tariffs.
He
said the revised fares for all the destinations will be available at all major
garages and the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure.
Some
members of the general public who spoke to The Point about the new development
said they are impressed by the bold and calculative steps taken by the Barrow
government through the works and transport ministry to bring about the change
in fares for all destinations across the country.
Modou
Lamin Jallow, newspaper distributor and supplier, praised Adama Barrow’s
government for reducing the fares, saying the new tariffs will ease the burden
on low income earners, especially those having school children.
Ndey
Fatou Saho, political science student at the University of The Gambia, said the
decision to reduce fares “has been timely” as it will reduce the cost of fares
for students, especially the needy and poor coming from far distances.
Abubacarr
Jallow, taxi driver plying the Serekunda-Westfield route, said it was a good
thing that they have arrived at a compromise to reduce the fares for the
benefit of all.
