PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS WANT ANOTHER 25% HIKE

 MBABANE – Public transport users are in for a shock. The falling economy has now compelled local public transport operators to reconsider reverting to the initial bus fare hike that they exercised leniency on in 2014.

In 2014 public transport operators were granted the 50 per cent bus fare hike which however, was to be implemented in two parts of 25 per cent each.
The first 25 per cent was gazetted by the ministry of public works and transport and it was indeed implemented.
This led to bus fares for the Mbabane/Manzini route to shoot from E15 to E23.50.

“However, due to leniency and consideration of the economic challenges faced by our customers we met and decided to reduce the amount to E20, which has been the case for four years now,” said Mandla Dlamini, the Chairman of the Swaziland Local Transport Association (SLTA).

concern

Dlamini said they have noted with concern that they risked losing business due to the recent hike of fuel prices and the increase of Value Added Tax (VAT) from 14 per cent to 15 per cent.
He said their immediate reaction now would be to revert to the E23.50 for the Mbabane/Manzini route and the others.

He lamented that in the absence of a Parliament and cabinet they would not be able to request for the endorsement of the other 25 per cent which they so much wished was implemented immediately.
“This increment was approved by Parliament but it was not gazetted, so we have to wait for the next government to take to office before we can have an endorsement and implementation of the fare hike,” he said.

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