It is almost two months since the latest increase in fare tariff countrywide and we are all trying to cope with the adverse variances it created in our monthly out goings.

The emergence of UTS Company with its fleet of buses has help a lot in reducing the impact that is created with the fare hikes. The only but at the moment is the timing, coordination and technical operational feasibility of the buses. I hope they work on the sensitization and awareness of their operations and networking in routes and stops.

a source of contention
The fare increases is being respected countrywide without any problems so far except between Banjul and Westfield. The complains here are the drafter of the fare tariffs either forgot to include the tariff clearly stating “Banjul-Westfield” or intended to clash policy and substance.

On the fare tariff there is “Westfield-Banjul” six (6) Dalasi but the reverse is silent leaving the passenger at the diver’s mercy. I was the other day coming from Banjul and alighting at Westfield who made me pay eight (8) Dalasi. I had to fight for what I perceived my right but to my own consternation I was made to loose by the traffic police men at Denton Bridge who reiterated the fact that the driver have every right to charge me eight Dalasi as the Tariff is silent about ‘Banjul-Westfield”.

That was an unfortunate day for common sense as if a driver is willing and able to charge a passenger Six Dalasi between Westfield and Banjul what is restricting him from charging six dalasi from Banjul to Westfield, I do not fathom? I can safely say then Westfield-Banjul is not the same as Banjul-Westfield, so beware of cunny drivers. Our drivers are very good at law and you cannot argue when r=they have the police’s backing.

 The blame and misery goes back to those transport experts or what you may call them for working our fare in the absence of common sense. I bitterly confronted the police and his only excuse on behalf of those who made this bad law was, listen carefully “Westfield is not a farage, it is only a picking –up point”. I wonder how many of our vehicles go to garages here to pick up passengers.

The solution
Please tell the driver right at Banjul when he is struggling to get passengers that you are alighting at Westfield and you can only pay six Dalasi. He will agree as there are other vehicles willing to accept your six Dalasi. Once you get it sorted at Banjul near the Gamtel House you save two (2) Dalasis and if you do not speak you are down by two (2) Dalasi. That is your tip and your escape route with this well informed bush lawyers on our vans.

In my small life so far all I wish to pray for is be have a bad ambassador, a weak MP, a poor representative, a dormant board member, and an ill informed PR. All what this bunch of people will get you are bad laws as in this matter and poorly represent a people or a region to their detriment. I will close this piece by asking the drafters of the National Tariff programme to be mindful of Westfied next time as the common sense is lacking in the awarding of the fares between Banjul and Westfield. I cannot justify the facts that West-Banjul is ok while Banjul-Westfield is wrong on the same scale. Good day and jolly good week from Market Beat.