NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A town hall meeting that was scheduled to bring bus drivers and commuters together to find common ground instead took an intense turn on Wednesday, and even though the room at Government High wasn’t packed with people, the voices and frustrations that echoed through the hall made their presence felt.
The discussion comes as drivers continue to push for a $2-dollar adult fare, a fight that has been brewing for years.
Back in 2024, drivers received their first raise in nearly 2 decades, raising the $1.25 fee to $1 .50 for adult fare.
However, drivers say that increase has long been swallowed up by rising operating costs, which has led to a demand of another 50 cents.
Transport Minister Leon Lundy acknowledges the strain on operators, but says the government must also consider the people who depend on the jitney every day.
Leon Lundy – Minister, Transport
“For the working mother, the student and the pensioner, every dollar spent getting to and from home is a dollar taken from somewhere else. Their struggle is just as real.”
Despite Lundy’s comments, drivers say their struggle is no less real, arguing that they too are battling the same high cost of living, while trying to keep their businesses afloat.
Driver –
“Just how you have to go to BPL to pay your light bill, we have to go to BPL to pay our light bill, so we are in the same category that you guys are in.”
Then when it comes to the complaints about reckless driving, drivers say the pressure to make a dollar is part of the problem.
In an already saturated market, where they are forced to compete for every passenger. One driver even describes it as a rat race.
According to some drivers that rat race is nothing new, but after years of working from before sunrise until long after sunset, they say they have reached their breaking point.
Driver –
“That’s what we do as Bahamians, we is get out there and we try to make it happen rather than just complaining or sitting back, but right now Mr. minister, the load is too heavy on the buses.”
