Commentary

Cashing in on people's sufferings

HURRICANES DENNIS AND Emily have just passed and already we are hearing more stories of residents having to pay extra to go about their daily business.

Although an increase in distance will ultimately result in increased fuel and maintenance costs, THE STAR deplores the decision by some taxi and bus operators to abuse an already bad situation.

Already there is talk of fares being doubled and some passengers having to pay two fares to go the same distance. There is also talk of commuters being abused by bus and taxi operators when they are unable to afford the unofficial fare hikes.

While it is important to operate business at a profit, there comes a time when discretion is necessary.

And, in the case of the bus and taxi operators, it is necessary to use discretion, especially since we have all been affected by the hurricanes in one way or another.

Still, it is unfortunate that we as a society have descended to such a level where money is more important than helping someone who may have been put in a worse situation because of back-to-back hurricanes. It is even more pitiful that a fare hike is suddenly imposed on people and their failure to pay it results in them suffering even more.