By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 26th February 2025)-Leader of the People’s Labour Party (PLP) and former Prime Minister, Dr. Timothy Harris, who is also the Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Seven, is against the recent increase in passenger bus fares, arguing that it places financial burden on passengers already struggling with the cost of living.
He stated such a position during the party’s press conference held on Wednesday 19th February 2025 at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel in Frigate Bay, stating that the government is failing to act in the best interest of its people.
“Rather than fighting for you, rather than fighting for us, just look at what is happening. Look at what the government is doing in our country. Bus fares have gone up. We are happy that the bus operators get something more. But has the government taken into account the impact upon the ordinary people who every morning they have to wake up, take a bus?”
Dr. Harris further elaborated on the financial strain this increase places on daily commuters.
“The extra $10 they will have per week, for the majority of them, the bus fares have gone up by at least a dollar. And you go to work, you have to come back. So that’s $2 extra that you have to pay. $40 at least in a four-week month when things are tough. And hardly any of those who are taking these buses, these passengers, can afford to pay this extra to go to work or even to go to see their loved ones.”
The immediate former Prime Minister claimed his administration took measures to benefit both bus operators and commuters.
“Better must be done and it must have been in the power of the government, any government, to have done something to relieve the burden on those who have to take buses that way. Indeed, when we were faced with that challenge in our administration, we outlined a number of measures, duty free concessions and support to the bus operators, and we said to them: ‘This will make up as it were. And for this particular benefit, we want you to hold on any movement which was adverse to those who had to travel’.”
Dr. Harris accused the government of ignoring the financial struggles of its citizens, highlighting the increase in bus fares as part of a broader trend of worsening economic conditions.
“So there are things that can be done. But for a government to move, the government must consider it important to act. And clearly, the government is not concerned about those who really need the help. The bus fare is just one example of the many things that are moving in adverse ways that are negatively impacting our people. Every day there is a cry about the cost of living, and this one-term government is not doing anything about the prices. It is as if the government and the cabinet, they are deaf and dumb to the worsening plight of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
An October 2024 press release from the government’s St.Kitts Information Services (SKNIS) indicated that the Federal Cabinet of the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis (“the Cabinet”) carefully considered and approved the recommendations from the Traffic Safety and Public Service Drivers Board (“the Board”) for an adjustment of the omnibus fare structure on St. Kitts, noting that multiple factors were considered including the rise of inflation.
As expressed: “This decision was not taken lightly, following extensive analysis over the past year to ensure the most balanced outcome for all.”
The statement highlighted that the Board’s assessment considered multiple factors, including the rise in inflation since the last fare adjustment over 16 years ago, in June 2008, the steadily increasing cost of operating omnibuses, the concessions available to omnibus operators, and the financial impact on the commuters, particularly the minimum wage earner.
“Although the assessment can justify a higher fare adjustment, in consideration of the financial impact on the commuters while balancing the economic realities of the omnibus operators, the new fares were limited to a maximum adjustment of XCD 1.00 across all distances. This careful compromise is essential to ensuring the sustainability of the public transport sector and the continued provision of safe and reliable omnibus services,” it further read.
The new fares came into effect on Monday 18th November 2024 at 12:01 AM.