DRIVERS REFUSE TO CUT FARES
…Tayali warns operators not to defy RTSA
By Adrian Mwanza
MINISTER of Transport Frank Tayali has warned bus operators and transporters to reduce bus fares as directed by the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA).
Drivers in Lusaka have refused to reduce the fares.
In an interview with The Mast, Tayali said it was surprising that operators were quick to hike bus fares once fuel prices went up but dragged their feet to reduce them when conditions dictated so.
RTSA has directed operators to reduce fares on local routes following the recent reduction of pump fuel prices.
“It is surprising because these operators are not reducing the fares even when there has been a directive to reduce the fares,” he said.
Tayali said there was no need to put in place monitors of who was complying or not when the issue was straightforward.
Operators should self-regulate instead of waiting for government to step in for them to comply.
He said it was unfortunate that the bus operators were taking advantage of people, warning that the government would not sit idly by and watch people being exploited.
“We are not going to sit and allow this, and what I’m urging the bus operators to do is to do the right thing and reduce the bus fares,” Tayali said.
He was hopeful the operators implement the directive because government was doing everything possible to make the environment favourable.
But a check by The Mast at Kulima Tower Bus Station, Downtown, Kamwala, Millennium and City Market bus stations found that drivers and operators had not reduced the fares.
Most of the drivers talked to said they would not reduce the fares because of the high cost of doing business.
