— Commuters in Mkushi bemoan unchanged transport fares despite reduced fuel prices

Commuters in Mkushi bemoan unchanged transport fares despite reduced fuel prices

Mkushi, February 7^th, 2015, ZANIS —–  Residents of Masansa area in Mkushi District have expressed their concern on the continued  transport  fares they are being charged despite the recent reduction in fuel price.

Masansa Pastor’s Fellowship Member,  Pastor Peter Mutale  says the travelling public in the district  were being exploited  by taxis and minibuses have remained adamant from reducing the fares  after government reduced fuel prices last Month.

Pastor Mutale in an interview with ZANIS  interview said it was immoral for Transporters to continue with these prices , saying that buses and taxi operators were exploiting people by not adjusting their transport Fares.

When talked to, one Mini Bus Operator Joel Silomba,  said  a consensus amongst the Transporters was yet to be reached .

Another Mini bus   operator Robert Kasonde said that it was difficult for Transporters to individually effect price reduction of Fares.

“I can’t reduce the fares unless I know how much the other buses will reduce to” he commented.

In a related contribution, a Taxi Operator Godfrey Simuchimba defended the stance taken by the Transporters, saying that Taxis Fares around Mkushi Boma’s townships  had been pegged at K20 or K15 for the past 2 years.

Mr. Simuchimba said that it would be difficult for people to expect Transporters to cut down on these prices immediately.         

 

ZANIS / ENDS / CM /MM………………DRY .