WILLEMSTAD – The government of Curaçao will provide financial support to bus drivers by covering 240 liters of diesel fuel in an effort to prevent an increase in public transportation fares.
Interim Finance Minister Charles Cooper announced the measure in a public message, stating that the support is intended to help bus operators absorb rising fuel costs without immediately passing those expenses on to passengers.
According to Cooper, the assistance program will initially remain in place for three months.
The minister added that the arrangement could be extended for an additional three months if necessary.
“By doing this, there will be no need to raise bus fares for now,” Cooper indicated.
The announcement comes amid growing public concern over rising fuel prices and increasing living costs on the island.
Recent increases in gasoline and diesel prices have sparked criticism from opposition parties, labor groups, and residents worried about the broader impact on transportation costs, inflation, and household budgets.
Public transportation operators have also warned in recent weeks that higher fuel prices could eventually force adjustments to bus fares if no government support measures were introduced.
Cooper suggested that after the temporary support period expires, the government and transportation sector will need to evaluate together how to proceed moving forward.
The measure forms part of broader efforts by the Pisas administration to ease pressure on vulnerable groups and essential services during a period of rising operational costs and economic uncertainty.