Unions to discuss fair hikes

[NewsWhore]

The public transport drivers unions, which control passenger services across most of the country, are meeting today to discuss imposing major fare increases in the face of recent events. Sources told El Nuevo Diario that the fare hikes would be in the realm of RD$5 and RD$10, since current fuel prices made less expensive fares impossible. With oil closing in on US$140 a barrel, the government has been forced to increase fuel prices substantially. In addition, there is now an announcement that the government wants to focus the distribution of subsidized propane gas to just some 400,000 or 700,000 of the poorest homes. The head of the Central National Transportation Union (CNTU), Ramon Perez Figuereo, announced that the unions would be meeting this morning to evaluate the impact of the recent price increases. The announcement comes despite the fact that most public transport vehicles use propane gas that is subsidized by the government and not subject to the price increases of gasoline.

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