Operators want more than 50% bus fare hike

14/03/2014 02:00:00

PUBLIC transport operators are not excited about the tabling of the proposed bus and taxi fares regulations in parliament that carry an unprecedented 50 percent increase.

They feel the proposed fares increase will not make much of a difference on their businesses.

Operators are of the view that the increase entailed in the proposal has been overtaken by events as a lot has happened between now and the time they sent their increase proposal to the ministry of public works and transport.

proposal

SCARTO Secretary General Duma Msibi said the proposal was submitted to government over three years ago but the ministry of works only decided to action them now.

He said they appreciated the action because they had no choice anyway.

He stressed though that they would have appreciated something better than this now, given the time it had taken government to action.

“It is very disappointing to see that the regulations are only tabled now. We were hoping they would be submitted to parliament way back when they were still relevant. We acknowledge government has its priorities but, this should have been prioritised as well,” said a bitter Msibi.

He said even if the proposed fares were passed as they were, they would not make much of a difference because of the escalation on the relevant items that facilitated the running of the transport business.

Fuel

He cited the escalation on fuel prices as one of the reasons they felt the 50 percent hike was no longer relevant.

“We have no option but to accept what they give us even though it will not make much of a difference. We have no option anyway,” he added. Asked if they would consider proposing another hike soon, Msibi said with time, they would but that would not come sooner as it would cause shock to the consumers. He said if they were to consider all the other years when there was no hike, the customers would be worse off.

...Consumers rubbish 50% bus fare hike
THE proposed 50 percent hike on public transport fares is ridiculous, the Consumers Association has said.

Chairman of the association Bongani Mdluli said in as much as consumers appreciated that prices had to go up at some point, operators must also be reasonable.

On Wednesday, the ministry of public works and transport tabled bus and taxi fare regulations of 2014 which proposed a 50% hike on public transport fares. The hike will only be effective after parliament approval and then a government gazette published. Mdluli said for starters, most of these public transport vehicles were not in good condition to transport the public.

coffins

“They are mobile coffins,” he said.

He said operators must learn to prioritise and control their spending, than rely on fare hikes to keep their business running.

Also, Mdluli said operators never at any point appreciated when there had been a drop on fuel prices, and reduce the fares but are quick to complain when they do not get an increase.

responsibility

He pointed out that operators had a responsibility to run their business wisely and further suggested that operators should reduce their fleet in order to be in a position to manage their business smoothly. He added that when operators ventured into this kind of business they must measure their muscles and see if they were going to afford to run the business effectively.

fleet

Mdluli claimed that often, the operators rushed to own a fleet of these vehicles and then blamed it on low bus fares when they faced challenges in managing their vehicles.

He said the consumer should not be made to pay for the operators’ businesses but enjoy the service at a reasonable fee.
Government should consider subsidising transport sector
GOVERNMENT must consider subsiding the transport sector, Consumers Association Chairman Bongani Mdluli has suggested.

He said this couldn’t happen now, but at some point, government would have to do so in order to make transport affordable to every Swazi.

Affordable

He said in other countries, transport and communication were affordable, adding that if Swaziland wanted to achieve its first world status vision, such utilities must be affordable to every citizen.