Bus Association Responds to Concerns About Youth Fare Evasion

The Antigua and Barbuda Bus Association (ABBA) is addressing growing concerns over commuters, particularly children, refusing to pay proper bus fares, Observer Media reported.

This issue was prominently discussed during the Association’s recent meeting, according to Public Relations Officer (PRO) Earl Waldron.

Current regulations stipulate that children aged two to 12 years receive a reduced fare, paying 50 cents less than the adult rate on all routes.

Once children reach 13 years of age, they are required to pay the full adult fare. Additionally, children’s fares are only applicable until 7 pm daily.

The PRO reports that young commuters have developed a pattern of paying arbitrary amounts on buses, a problem that has plagued operators for years and has recently worsened.

Bus operators are increasingly frustrated with having to accept incorrect fares from teenage passengers who resist paying the proper amount.

Waldron points out that no other business in Antigua and Barbuda allows customers to arbitrarily decide their payment terms, questioning why bus operators are expected to accept such treatment. He emphasizes that when other businesses set prices, consumers must comply to receive services.

To address these challenges, the Bus Association is proposing new guidelines to the relevant government agency. The proposal suggests that special fares for primary school children would only apply when they are in uniform.

This uniform requirement is deemed necessary due to difficulties in accurately determining children’s ages by appearance alone.

The proposal explicitly excludes secondary school students, college attendees, and Youth Skills participants would not be eligible.