The current boat fare is SRD 13 but the boat owners explained that this tariff is outdated as it is no longer enough to cover the operational costs. The boat owners pointed out that the gas prices and the maintenance costs are hitting them hard and that the boat fare should be at least SRD 25. “We must cover maintenance to guarantee the safety of the passengers,” said one of the boat owners. The boat owners explained that the new list of boat fares is based on the developments on the foreign currency exchange market, the gas prices and the costs of materials.

“The wooden planks of the boats must be replaced regularly. Safety vests are also mandatory for the safety of the passengers but they are also getting more expensive while our boat fares are falling behind. We want to work with new boat fares,” said another boat owner. Despite their discontent the boat owners are not eager to go on strike because that would hit huge parts of the population. The boat owners provide an important service to people who want to get from their home to their workplace and back.

They also complained that they have to wait months before they receive payment of state subsidies. When they finally receive the money, it has devaluated due to inflation. The boat owners therefore want a new financing system. “The government must create a system that subsidizes the people directly. Scrap the current subsidy system because we cannot go on with it,” said the boat owners who hope that the government will respond soon.