Prime Minister the Hon. Baldwin Spencer and the Executive of the Bus Association of Antigua and Barbuda, on Friday convened a meeting in an effort to clarify the government's position on the recent fuel increases and address the concerns of bus operators.

The meeting which was requested by the Bus Association and attended by Finance and Economy Minister Dr. the Hon. Errol Cort and General Manager of the Transport Board Mr. Harry Josiah, agreed that the recent increases in fuel were inevitable and all stakeholders should play a balanced role in sharing the burden of the increases.

It was pointed out that the recent fuel increase will make the operating cost unbearable for the majority of bus operators. There was also a general consensus that any significant increase in fares would create major problems for the society.

Both sides therefore agreed on the following:

• Effective midnight Tuesday 11th October, there will be an across the board increase of 50 cents per passenger
• There will be an increase or decrease of 5 cents per every 50 cents if there is an increase or decrease in the price of fuel in the future
• Persons 70 years and older with accepted identification will receive free travel
• Children's fare now applies to persons 13 years and under. This rate is valid until 7 pm. Persons over 13 years will pay the adult fare.

Prime Minster Spencer, commenting on the meeting on Friday said that he was very pleased to have met with the members of the Bus Association and commended them for their professional approach to the matter. "The Executive was very effective in representing the concerns of their members and negotiated in manner designed to create a balance for everyone," added the Prime Minister

President of the Bus Association Mr. Glenn Miller thanked Prime Minster Spencer for meeting with them and outlined that the country's leader was very sympathetic to their concerns and demonstrated his government's desire to collaborate with the association in addressing the problem of the rising cost of fuel.

Both sides also agreed that there is the need for operators to function under an organized structure and efforts should be made to have all bus operators become members of the association.

It was also agreed that the government should take steps to provide the Transport Board with greater regulatory and enforcement powers designed to create a more professional bus service.

The Bus Association and the Transport Board also agreed to follow-up consultations.