WILLEMSTAD - ABC Busbedrijf announced on Wednesday that the rates for bus tickets will be increased by thirty cents from 1 February. An ordinary ticket now costs 2 guilders, while it used to be 1.70 guilders. Rides to Bandabou were 2.20 guilders and are now 2.50 guilders.
The price increase of the tickets is a result of the poor financial position of the company. ABC Busbedrijf has been losing a lot for some time now. The government is lagging in granting subsidies and to make matters worse, two million guilders less has been budgeted for the bus company for 2021.
The unions have always indicated that an increase in tariffs could offer a solution, but Minister of Traffic, Transport and Spatial Planning Zita Jesus Leito has always rejected it.
Earlier this month, when bus drivers went on strike, Jesus-Leito sat down with the unions. It was then agreed that the tariffs may be increased.
ABC Busbedrijf now also wants the government to compensate for the loss of income due to the corona measures. Revenues have fallen 40 percent since the start of the crisis, the company said.