SOUTHERN PROVINCE HUYE — Travellers plying the Butare-Kigali route are complaining about high transport fares despite a drop in fuel prices. Pump prices for petrol and diesel were recently reduced from Rwf924 to Rwf880 for petrol and Rwf870 for diesel. Despite this reduction however, motorists still charge Rwf2,000 from Butare to Kigali. “Transport agencies didn’t reduce anything on their price. We feel frustrated and it is getting harder and harder for us to travel,” said Hodari Habanabashaka, a resident of Nyaruguru district. The residents argue that transporters should adjust travel fares because their costs on fuel have also dropped. The travelers say this is the highest amount ever charged. Originally, transporters charged Rwf1,600 when fuel cost Rwf936 per litre. “Since fuel doesn’t cost them so much, the agencies should also reduce the transport fare,” said another resident, Providence Uwineza, of Tumba Sector in Huye. She added that motorists have unfairly ignored the public outcry. Anatole Nsengiyumva, a taxi conductor on the Butare-Muhanga road, also acknowledged that the fare has remained high and should be slashed. “I don’t defend Rwf2,000 as transport fare from Butare to Kigali. I believe it should be lower since the fuel price has been cut,” he says. Nsengiyumva suggested that ordinary taxis commonly known as Twegerane normally hike fares after the Special travel agencies have increased theirs. The transport agencies working in the area include SOTRA, VOLCANO, HORIZON and ATRACO. Meanwhile, a meeting to sort out this issue is planned this week, according to Issa Ngeze, the vice-President of ATRACO. In a phone interview however, Ngeze said that previous attempts to lower prices have led to losses after transporters in the area got involved in a ‘price war.’ He said some agencies cut the fares lower than the agreed charges in order to attract more passengers-leading to losses. Ngeze said resolutions of the meeting would be communicated to the public. Ends
