No adjustment in bus fares – Kamuti

The commuters rights association of Zambia (CRAZ) has disclosed that they will be no adjustments in bus fares following the 80ngwee increment of the pump price of petrol.

This follows a consultative meeting that was held recently with bus operators and the road transport and safety agency rtsa were it was agreed that the status call will remain the same as the stakeholders failed to reach an agreement.

And CRAZ president Aaron Kamuti has stated that going forward so much needs to be done as there is a lot of anxiety as the energy regulation board (ERB) is not being proactive and not doing what is expected of them.

He adds that the monthly review of fuel prices is something that has been condemned because it has not been helpful but is just bringing confusion especially for those who are in business and transport business.

And bus and taxi owners association of Zambia says the monthly fuel price adjustment by energy regulation board (ERB) has brought a lot of uncertainty in the public transport sector.

Association national secretary general Sydney Mbewe says it is for this reason that it recently agreed with road transport and safety agency (RTSA) to introduce a formula that would have a trigger point that will justify either increment or reduction of bus fares without going into consultations.

Mr. Mbewe explains that it is going to be tedious for stakeholders to be sitting every month to decide whether to increase or reduce bus fares depending on developments in fuel prices on the local market.

He says currently what is being effected is a formula that RTSA is able to fit in figures based on the existing bus fares and be able to come up with the increment that the formula is going to give them.

On Tuesday, energy regulation board (ERB) increased the price of petrol by 80 ngwee per liter while prices of diesel and kerosene remained the same.