… Senators call for government intervention as Parliament approves higher public transport fares despite concerns over the financial burden on commuters.
BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
LOBAMBA– Senators have called on government to intervene and assist public transport operators amid rising fuel warning that repeated fare increases alone will not provide a lasting solution to the challenges facing the sector.
The call was made during a Senate debate on Monday afternoon on the Maximum Bus and Taxi Fares Amendment Regulations, 2022, where senators acknowledged the financial pressure on public transport operators while expressing concern about the impact of higher fares on ordinary emaSwati.
Senator Dr Stukie Motsa, who moved a motion without notice, said the proposed fare increases were necessary to help operators remain in business, considering the rising cost of running their vehicles.
She explained that senators had been briefed on the regulations and informed that the Ministry of Public Works and Transport had engaged public transport operators, who had agreed to the proposed adjustments.
Dr Motsa acknowledged that the increase would dig deep into the pockets of commuters, especially at a time when salaries had not been increased for emaSwati generally.
However, she said the last bus and taxi fare adjustment was made in 2022, meaning operators had gone several years without an increase despite rising operating costs.
According to Dr Motsa, fuel prices had increased by 59 per cent this year, while public sector salaries had been increased by 24 per cent, putting additional pressure on public transport businesses.
She said the rising costs of fuel and tyres could make it difficult for operators to sustain their businesses if fares remained unchanged.
Meanwhile, Senator Princess Ncengencenge said government needed to find a lasting solution to the problem instead of allowing commuters and operators to continue bearing the burden of successive price increases.
She noted that the fuel crisis was a global challenge affecting people in different ways, including those who relied on public transport to get to work and conduct their daily activities.
The senator also questioned whether the proposed fares would remain applicable following another fuel price adjustment announced the previous week.
She wanted to know whether the new fares had taken the latest fuel price developments into account.
Ncengencenge called on government to sit down with public transport operators and explore ways of assisting them to manage their businesses without repeatedly increasing fares.
She said public transport was an essential sector that required careful handling, adding that the financial pressures affecting households could have serious consequences for people’s well-being.
Senator Prince Sgombeni also questioned what government was doing to help operators, suggesting that it should consider intervening to ease the pressure on the industry.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Lorraine Nxumalo questioned whether the reported salary increases for workers in the public transport industry reflected the reality on the ground.
She said workers in the sector often worked irregular and extended hours, raising questions about whether their remuneration adequately compensated them for their efforts.
Nxumalo further suggested that government could consider supporting public transport operators financially, as is done in some countries, particularly on long-distance routes.
She said government assistance could help operators sustain their businesses while reducing the pressure to increase fares.
Senator Scelo Dlamini subsequently moved that the debate be stopped, noting that senators appeared to share a common position.
Responding, Dr Motsa said senators had agreed that fares should be increased, despite acknowledging that the adjustment might provide only limited relief to operators.
She said the sector would need continued engagement and dialogue to address its challenges over time.
The Senate eventually adopted the Maximum Bus and Taxi Fares Amendment Regulations, 2022, in terms of Section 253(3) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini, with senators voting in favour.
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(Courtesy Pic)
