Non-reduction of transport fares by operators bother CSPR in Chipata

———-The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) in Chipata district has expressed concern with public and private transport operators’ failure to
reduce transports fares following despite the reduction in fuel pump prices.

Provincial Chairperson Maxson Nkhoma says the K2 reduction in fuel prices which was recently effected has not benefited ordinary people.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Chipata, today Mr. Nkhoma observed that prices of most commodities have continued to increase despite the reduction in the fuel pump prices.

He explained that fuel is the engine block of any economic development, hence any slight change in fuel prices has a direct impact on the livelihoods of people.

Mr. Nkhoma noted that this is why most times when fuel prices are increased prices of goods and services are also hiked.

He said to this effect the substantial downward adjustment would have trickled down to consumers.

He has since called on government through the Ministry of Transport and Communication to engage the transport operators to consider reducing their fares.

Mr. Nkhoma said by doing so the reduction in fuel prices would translate in real poverty reduction by reducing the cost of doing business through transportation.

And Public Private Drivers Association of Zambia (PPDAZ) Provincial Chairperson Joseph Phiri said the association is still waiting for guidelines on how much reduction should be effect on bus and taxi fares.

Mr. Phiri said the association is currently in consultations with various stakeholders before a decision can be reached on how much should be reduced.

He alleged that most transporters are reluctant to reduce the fares because fuel prices have in the past been increased more than three times but the fares remind unchanged.

Government has reduced the prices of petroleum products by over K2 following the decline in prices of oil prices on the international market.