Melanio Paredes, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, has asked the transport unions to organize a technical ad hoc committee to join with his people in order to find a solution to the ever-increasing price of fuel. The unions have put on hold their announced fare increases that would have put publico fares at RD$15 and inner city buses at RD$25 a ride. During their meeting with the minister, the union put their petition on the table: lower fuel prices via an increase in subsidies.