By Teboho Serutla
Public transport operators have expressed a need to increase fares, to cushion the industry against losses.
The spokesperson of Maseru Regional Taxi Association (MRTO) Lebohang Moea says due to increasing prices of vehicles, spare parts and maintenance costs, a fare hike is the only way to sustain the business and keep it afloat.
“We will desist from mentioning the ever escalating fuel prices as they affect everyone.
It is worth noting that the last time fares were hiked was in the 2017/2018 financial year.
“If we took all these factors into consideration we would have to increase taxi and four-plus-one fares from the current M8 to M18. But we settled for a 10 percent hike after negotiations with the ministry of transport. This should have come into effect in December last year.”
Moea added that new fares are expected to come into operation on September 1, 2021 after last ditch consultations among all stakekolders.
