TCT wants to gradually phase out subsidy Bus fare hike looming

The Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism (TCT) reportedly wants to gradually phase out the state subsidy for bus owners. The direct result of this will be a bus fare hike. The issue was discussed a meeting between TCT Minister Andoyo Rusland and the Private Regular Bus Owners’ Organization (PLO). The minister will reportedly discuss the ministry’s proposal within the Council of Ministers and with President Desi Bouterse. The chairman of the PLO, John Mahadewsing, confirmed the reports. “We have discussed the proposal of the TCT Ministry,” Mahadewsing told Times of Suriname. The TCT Ministry and the PLO are scheduled to meet again later this month. Minister Rusland wants feedback from the rest of the government before discussing any final decisions with the bus union. The fact remains that the subsidy of more than SRD 15 million per year is putting too much pressure on the government’s budget. The bus owners made it clear that the compensation of SRD 2.25 for each liter of diesel became outdated a long time ago. The government which reportedly does not have enough funds to raise the subsidy for the PLO already has plans to gradually phase out the state subsidy. “I approve of it,” said Mahadewsing when asked to comment on the TCT Ministry’s proposal. “We agreed to meet again to discuss the issue,” said Mahadewsing. Both parties recently discussed the fact that the government is still behind with the payment of subsidy for the last 3 months of 2016.