On wednesday, July 27, minister of Transportation, Mr. Ursell Arends held a meeting with the United Bus Drivers (Chauffeurnan di Autobus Uni). After deliberations, minister Arends informed that the Government of Aruba and United Bus Drivers reached an agreement with which both parties are satisfied.
For this new agreement reached between the Government of Aruba and the United Bus Drivers, it was taken into consideration that the last time the bus fare was adjusted was in 2015. The standard fare will be increased with Afl. 1. It’s important to note that the fare for Elderly Adults will remain fixed at Afl. 3.
Minister Arends said in a press release that he understands that for some time already the situation was financially difficult for the bus operators. With the drastic price increase for fuel, this group found themselves ‘in red’. Minister Arends said he was aware of the situation, and that first he approached the University of Aruba to task them with executing a study on the carrying capacity and after this, come with proposals for a management change, including a change in bus fare, amount of permits issued, etc. The results of this study are still spending, and it is planned to conclude in september 2022.
According to the press release it is also important to note that now the legal process will be started. Thus it is not fruitful to begin speculating at what moment the new fare will come into effect at this moment. Minister Arends said that he will make it a priority to execute the process as efficiently as possible, and will keep the group of bus drivers and the community of Aruba informed of all developments.
Minister Arends thanks the United Bus Drivers for the way in which they organized themselves, the way in which the deliberations were carried out, and he also thanks them for the cooperation and understanding the keep the fare without change – more favourably – for the Eldery Adults. “This proves that when we deliberate with respect and professionalism, we can achieve goals to benefit our community”, the minister commented.
As Aruba Today reported, on July 15, small bus drivers came together and gathered in the parking lot of the Linear Park to march together, guided by the police, to the Bestuurskantoor – the government seat – to deliver a letter. The group United Bus Drivers handed a petition to the government to increase the bus fare with 1 florin, because their expenses are becoming too high to manage.
The drivers in their letter brought a proposal to increase the fare in accordance with the increase in the price of gasoline and diesel.
