By ALICE NACHILEMBE
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and bus operators have resolved to reduce inter-city bus fares, following the drop in fuel pump price announced by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) recently.
RTSA Head Public Relations Fredrick Mubanga said that bus fares for all inter-city routes have been reduced by K10.00 with effect from May 12, 2022.
Mr Mubanga said bus fares for other routes including inter-mine, peri-urban and local routes will be maintained due to the negligible average price reduction of petrol and diesel respectively.
He said the meeting also resolved to continue monitoring the factors effecting bus fare variations using the developed bus fare model which take into account the inflation rate, the cost of fuel and other operating costs.
Mr Mubanga said RTSA commits itself to fully manage the stakeholder engagement process in bus fare adjustments to protect the interest of the public while safeguarding the operations of the passenger public transport system in the country.
The ERB reduced fuel pump prices by K2.35 for petrol and K0.58 for diesel with effect from 1st May 2022. Consequently, on 2nd May, 2022, the RTSA held a consultative meeting with the Bus and Taxi Owners Association of Zambia (BTOAZ), Commuter Rights Association of Zambia (CRAZ) and Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA).
