The Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has called upon government to quickly intervene in matter of bus operators in Lusaka who have refused to reduce bus fares despite fuel prices being reduced.
ZACA Executive Secretary Muyunda Ililonga says the decision by bus operators not to lower fares is aimed at exploiting consumers who have continued to pay exorbitant fares for both intra city and long distance routes.
He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that operators should not cite the depreciation of the local currency as the reason why there will not reduce fares adding that bus fares reduction is determined by the reduction in fuel prices.
“Lusaka bus operators are just displaying their selfishness to say they will not reduce fares because the kwacha has depreciated that is not true, fares are reduced when there is a reduction in fuel prices.” he said.
Mr. Ililonga explained that operators do not buy buses on a daily basis to this effect he has cautioned them to find other means of creating abnormal profit and not by exploiting people who use public transport.
He however, said the there is also need for government through the Ministry of Transport and Communication to put up a deliberate policy of blacklisting operators who do not comply to the laid down procedure of increasing and reducing transport fares.
Mr. Ililonga note that through government’s intervention, consumers can be assured that they are protected in all areas of development in the country.
He point out that though it is a liberalized economy consumer must be protected from all manner of exploitation in the hands of service providers.
“Government should now put in place a deliberate policy and ensure that all those that fail to comply to rules are black listed so that consumers are protected for the development of the country,” he added.
Mr. Ililonga further appealed to government to seriously regulate the transport sector to ensure that both consumers and transport operators benefit from the recent fuel price reductions.
He was reacting to a decision by Lusaka Bus Operators committee that they may not reduce bus fares because the Kwacha has depreciated.
ENDS/MM/AM/ZANIS
**==**==**==IYEE, O YES
**==**==**== INFACT,thats the best solution,just blacklist them,when it comes to increaments those chaps do not even wait for cock to crow ninshi nabalunda!!!i hope c/belt guyz will comply to a 12% reduction,LETS BE FAIR PIPO!!!
I do agree with the bus drivers not to reduce the prices because the oil prices are stable in zambia and anytime the ERB will increase the prices again.Thats the price the country gona pay for not having stable economy and i do sympathise with public who use public transport.
it is a liberalised economy mwebantu.
Hey! Lets move with time without Govt intervening. It’s only logical to move in line with the reduction of fuel. The attitude of nchekelako even where you are not supposed to reap is long gone. Day light Stealing from the already poor Zambians through charging unfair prices will further cripple our economy. Busholi bumaswe..!
Let our fellow PF supporters help us by reducing the fares. We are all one in the boat – be considerate to your fellow PF members. Reduce fares or we defect!!!!!
#4, I agree with you. Let those who want to be competitive in pricing reduce their prices and those who think their servies will still be wanted even at the same prices, let them charge exorbitantly and its up to the customers to choose which buses to use. But no one should force other bus operators to charge the same price. Let individual bus operators decide but let the people be aware that prices are supposed to go down. See how market forces will operate and sanity will be restored in business. Some will be forced to park their buses.
Govt, govt of RB, surely can you fail to handle drivers and conductors? What a shame.
WHERE IS TETA?
UBZ must come back so that those with kantemba buses are forced out of this business.
Pipo its not only the fuel that operators require they are other cost also need to be reduced spareparts are incleasing day in day out drivers need better perks council leaves are daily paid naba kupunda need more not forgetting ba buju. Let the operators play it the way others are doing, why not first start with reducing the mps allowances.
I feel so sorry for those who rely on public transport in Zambia. The condition has always been so bad & things don’t seem to be getting any better. Bob Marley would shout “Oh, what a rat race!”
Where is Loudmouthed Teta in all this???
#9 and 13. He is in Mfuwe
It is a liberalised economy quite alright but sanity has to be maintained that is why the govt through relevant agencies needs to set the maximum amount an operator should charge then that is when individual operators can decide to either maintain or further reduce their charges.It is not right for bus operators to control govt & take consumers for a bumpy ride.It is also high time govt stopped issuing operating licences to anyone that applies just coz they have a bus,operators should meet standards,eg,number of buses they should have etc,drivers should also be forced to wear badges to see if they qualify to drive,bus conductors have killed too many people.
Hai Zambians how was your Christmas hope you enjoyed yourselves as you know me with my grandfather we are in mfuwe enjoying ourselves as a family and celebrating the victory of my grandpa, see you when i come. why worry abount bus drivers? you should all buy your own vehicles since they are now cheap wake up zambians.
Those operator should be directed to behave accordingly, they are the first people to increase fairs when ever there is an increase in the prise fuel. GOGO BANDA GO.:(:-?:-\”:d
Most of Bus operators are PF. If ERB where to increase the fuel price it will just take them a to do increase the bus fares.
complaint of the season blogger ! i feel this tendency of rushing to increasing but crawling to reduce prices should be made punishable by law so that even filling station owners are kept under control coz its just too much. we will waste time if we just keep on blaming our dear holiday maker but just come up with petitions etc to counter this. these guys behave like ba kaponya from Poor Finishing (PF)
Ouch!! This walking as I can no longer afford these high bus fares will be the death of me. Anyone with a ka second or fourth hand car to give away? Thanks in advance.
#14 Thanx for the information. i knew something was amiss because the kama moron is no where to be seen. he is busy sratching his conical -shaped b@$^lls whilst eating duiker at mfuwe ! hey shaniko update since weekend i was offline………no chigololo scandal in mfuwe yet ?
i thought Zambia has a free market economy. No dictatorship
We have boring problems in Zambia thats why am leaving in the first quarter of 2009… the problem of being a low income country. Less than $1000 GNI per capita
The best political community is formed by citizens of the middle class
News from Zed is good to give u a big headache! My brain hurts now!~X(
I think I’m going out to jog, see you later, allig…:-h
#19,ba Maureen. muichindike mwaumfwa? Why talk about Pf like that.Is there any need for you say that.This is a festive season,so i dont want to attack anyone.But if am forced,i wil have no option but to do it!
#3 I agree with u. Its a confused state we live in.
#20 dont worry, there is an old ford cortina i know of. it used to be in Lusaka since the eighties then in the ninties it was thrown away to some village in chipata i almost forgot about it till i saw it in Lusaka last year being driven by a very youg lady who always has to push it three kms before starting and only travels a kilometer before the fuel finishes. the sons has offered her a smaller and more powerful car but she has to ride it in secrecy. I am told this car was taken to Mfuwe for the christmas holidays ! it is running away from too many roadblocks from LT bloggers ! yalizanda boyi
It seems most people here don’t understand the concept behind ‘ free market economy’ & just mention it without knowing what it is.
The main assumption is that the price of goods & services will be determined by both sellers & buyers,yes there is not much control but there has to be mutual agreements so that neither party does whatever they feel like doing at the expense of the other.
One thing i note though is that our system & culture does not allow for some concepts to work that is why the govt needs to make harsh decisions coz man is a difficult animal to understand,someone will be told ‘go to the left coz if u go right there is a ditch’ but man will prefer to go to the right instead.
I blame govt entirely for not being firm on not only on bus operators but most of these businesses.
When fuel prices go up, the OMC increase pump prices immediately but when fuel prices go down, there is talk of old stock.
Multi-choice Zamia Limited is another company run by crooks. Firstly the Zambian monthly subs are the highest in the region. I do not understand becuase it is in US Dollar. I want to belive a US $ is a US $. When the Kwacha depreciates they change the rate every day. When it gains they fix a rate much higher and for a long period. Nowdays they are changing the rate every one hour.
This is Zambia. If you are not happy go home.
GTV is the way to go!!!!!!!!!!
Number 11 is right, start by reducing mp`s allowances then you can go down the chain.
Bro Rashid Jones how are you? long time!am gud myself although very disappointed because we drew yesterday.2-2 meaning we are now 3 points behind liverpool. I believe that God has been blessing you.Because his word which wil never return to him empty,but accomplish the purpose for which God sends it for says,whatever we lay our hands on shall be fruitfull.
#19 when i talk of PF or any other related gang of illiterate embeciles i do not expect one of their fellow morons to ask me why ok ? if you dont have anything to do go and s.c.r.e.w yourself or something that will make your deflated spheres down there happy. Please dont make my ‘advice’ to you be the reason LT should close this site. Dont ever mess with me coz i will on bing onto you the curse of the fleas of a thousand camels onto your unshaven p parts. stan your call !
yaba pa zed pawama,RB govt full of increaments,pipo stop complaining.
they r stil increasing so if ur in business jst increase yo items.remember RB salary is increased,bunga increased,fertalizer increased,bus fares now increased,wat else? everything will be increased. **==**==**==**==
#27 Ba Maureen
If this ford cortina is already being driven by a youngie in secret, what are the chances that I may inherit it?
#29 That is why the late Levy Mwanawasa actually ordered that all providers of goods & services stop quoting prices in dollars,this trend was popularised by digital satelite tv & mobile phone service providers but i don’t know if the relevant authorities have ensured that everyone quotes in Zambian kwacha as that is the official currency of our country.
Its you #25
Bro Rashid,on #31 its me Chewe.I just dont know why LT puts Anonymous sometimes,even when i have printed my name.
ba Lusaka kukosa ! but theres a saying ” whatever goes up, must go in !”
#35 . i totally agree with you. theres no way people will be uoting in dollars even for useless services .
IT’S FAIR TO WATCH PIPO STEALING 4M DA POOR ZAMBIAN
Testing 12
if u want bus drivers & their conductors to reduce fares start frm da top.tell yo RB to reduce his salary,MPs allowances,& da reductions will contnue down da chain.poor Zambians u’ve leant it the hard way.aha ahaaaaaaa!!!!!! **==**==**== sorry guyz.
#11. GOD IDEA. REDUCE MPS ALLOWANCES
# 42. Your contribution has no direction and meaning.
#26 abena deja vu mulasangwa ko mu big NDOLA.Name sounds familiar
Ba Maureen,its you who should stop messing up with pf or talk ill of Sata.Not everyone is iliterate in pf,there are those of us who are highly educated.Am higly protected by the blood of Jesus.So dont even waste your time talk like that. Curses wil bounce back on you.Touch not,dont play with fire! Leave pf alone!
Ba Maureen
bushe ba PF ta ba myonawile ka wonderful day with wonderful opotunities of meeting mr right
Chiluba and his cohorts banned United Transport and Taxis Association hence the disorganization among bus operators. At that time the MMD then preferred BDMT yakaponya.
All those saying fares should stay as is, are being hypocritical. Its only normal that buses operators reduce there fares because they base there increments on fuel hikes not the strength of the Kwacha. Everyone was up in arms against RB and his government before the reduction, so can you be sincere and show us that you mean well when you complain about fuel being too expensive otherwise you are no different from the people you always cry foul against.
Ba Maureen,are you a lady or a man?
#44 zambian,cakubaba I guess ur MMD,if u r, shame on u!!.u want bus fares 2b reduced wen da prizes of everythng r up?do u knw wat they go thro?do u knw their salaries?I see ur selfish.hard lucy!! :-h:-h:-h
# 50 why do ask ? Are you gay ?
0091311534-s ngosa baclayz Somebody to help. I live in kitwe and am looking for any one who can help me or connect me to anybody who is willing to help Am looking after 4 family members who have been oftered different places at colleges i managd only 2 part payments others i failed and really i will be very guit not to send these guyz am looking for $2000 dolas and schools are about to be opened. I thak God all the Guys are hard working but i have nothing to offred them. My parents are just peasan farmers that also depend on me. Please may you tell or show me where i can go to seek for help. Sorry to ask on this my family or any organisation which can help me or my government. God will bles
#50 what makes you think Maureen could be a man. Most Maureens i know are ladys. Are talking sexaul orientation or something else.
#50 what makes you think Maureen could be a man. Most Maureens i know are ladies. Are talking sexaul orientation or something else.
#50 what makes you think Maureen could be a man. Most Maureens i know are ladies. Are talking sexual orientation or something else.
#50 what makes you think Maureen could be a man. Most Maureens i know are ladies. Are you talking sexual orientation or something else.
Chewe my Man, tell us about your date last night kabili.
Chewe, Maureen is a lady but very ugly
@29 ZAMBIAN, I totally agree with you. MULTI-CHOICE’s behavior is day light robbery. Sadly few people complain. The reason why 75% subscribe to Multi-choice is because of ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE, now that they only offer us 20% most people are slowly drifting to GTV. GTV is indeed the way to go.
Elyo lwanya nomba!
kano nga nibo, ba skanka par cool near
#10 small. I was just talking about UBZ yesterday and some chaps even went to the extent of misunderstanding me. There are so many things wrong with our commuter transport. The major issue is the so called mbabula (or tubeseni) buses. Surely, in a civilized world those buses should be out-lawed. Cummutting must be looked at as way of having leisure, even with your family. Towns in Zambia need big commuter buses. The ones that here in London are called mini buses. With the same (or similar) inside configuration to allow more manoeuvre for even people with prams, less-able/dissabled persons such as those on wheelchairs, and those with large shopping…
Dear Bloggers,
This serves to inform you that I will be quitting blogging in the new because our colleagues from the PF are slowly spreading an infectious disease called Imaturitis Contaminagia. This disease affects your minds so much that without thinking you start singing PABWATOO. It is for this very serious consideration that I wish to bid farewell to you all who have not yet been affected by this contagious disease. My advice is be careful or else you will be singing PABWATOO at work until your employers notice something strange and declare you redundant. Most PF cadres were declared redundant because of this disease as they attend rallies any day and at any time.
Multichoice day light thieves!!!!!
Ba Chewe MAUREEN is a man,i can tell by the expression in his postings.just screamin for attention.
Ba Maureen ndeko nangai, uza likolo. Osekeska ngai mingi mama. Mbote pona yo.
cnt. Packing people in your buses like bags of charcoal has no respect for humanity. Commutter transport systems shouldn’t be designed only for poor people. Ok, if you ve got no respect for fellow Zambians, then think of tourism industry. The one you seem to be yapping about without knowing what makes tourism tick. Provide descent commutter transport for tourists so that indigenous citizens are able to as well enjoy it, indirectly.
some of u people u pay k1000.00 in buses even when the price of fuel was up. remember it;s not only the fuel which the buses uses.let them also reduces ~o)3:-o (~~)
Jah jah city jah jah town them ago turn it in a rudeboy town, dem hypocrite bladclat slaggart dem.
%%-%%-%%-%%-smoke the herb make we ises to HIM. %%-%%-%%-%%-bomboclat pan all dem politrictian any time we reach the border.%%-%%-%%-
cnt. Having said the above, now people should know why Zambia has a small number of tourists visiting our country even in the presence of real and rare tourist attractions, a stable political state, poverty-stricken but happy people. Simply, do not design seperate systems for poor people and another set of systems for the rich Zambians.
Big up to all you bloggers with mother Zambia at heart. Jah Bless
Two young guys were picked up by the cops for smoking dope and appeared in court on Friday before the judge. The judge said, “You seem like nice young men, and I’d like to give you a second chance rather than jail time. I want you to go out this weekend and try to show others the evils of drug use and get them to give up drugs forever. I’ll see you back in court Monday.”
Monday, the two guys were in court, and the judge said to the 1st one, “How did you do over the weekend?” “Well, your honor, I persuaded 17 people to give up drugs forever.” “17 people? That’s wonderful. What did you tell them?” “I used a diagram, your honor. I drew two circles like this…
o O
cnt. I will give an eg of 2 systems which have been designed for the rich and another for the poor in Zambia. The Lusaka International Airport. There are no public commutter buses regularly shanting between the airport and parts of lusaka and beyond. To go there one has to book a cab. Because its perceived to be for the rich. Lets not go far. Commutter transport in Zambia is so un-imaginely poor in whatever way one thinks of. Because, its designed for the poor Zambians. This is not the way to attract tourists who want to inter-mingle with the locals and learn about their cultural heritage. Those Zambians will not be on taxis (for the rich), or business people.
…and told them this (the big circle) is your brain before drugs and this (small circle) is your brain after drugs.” “That’s admirable,” said the judge.
“And you, how did you do?”, he asked the second boy, “Well, your honor, I persuaded 156 people to give up drugs forever.” “156 people! That’s amazing! How did you manage to do that?!?”, “Well, I used a similar approach. (draws two circles)
O o
I said (pointing to the small circle) “this is your @$$hole before prison, …”
# 75 That is what happens when you leave public transport in private hands.
Conclusively, I urge policy makers of Zambia to quickly formulate Commutter Transport Policies which will attract not only tourists but local ZAmbian family enjoyable bus rides. That’s part of tourism and that will be the beginning of tourism for the local poor Zambians. More so it will trigger the re-think of road net-work planning. And not those hopeless small roads in cities and compounds. And more jobs for Zambians.
If you remember, it took BaLevy to put sanity in the cellular phone market. It took Zamtel a long time to go digit becuase of …..
Meanwhile Celtel and Telecel monopolised the digital cellular market. I remember buying a sim card at K400,000 and I do not remember what rate the Kwacha was to the Dollar at the time. We were also made to buy talk time every week and you would be expected to have used what you bought the week before.
There was a Govt in place when all this was happening, just like there is one now.
MUMBWE UKULILA NISHI PALI UKO ASHINSHISHYE AMATAKO!!!!
I challenge you to take time and find out who is behind some of these businesses. It will help you understand why.
you see guys (& dolls of course) the problem with pa zed is that we have this attitude of saying if you can’t afford anything, let those who can afford it enjoy. there is thing of saying that those who complain, they do just because they have no money. in south africa, commuters launched an AZIKWELWA campaign to force passenger service operators to not only reduce the fares, but to improve the service as well. In America, Rosa Parks simple act of defiance on a public bus, started a revolution which today has seen Obama being elected. Ndwiiii ya pa zed, nothing will ever get achieved.
“PATRIOTIC Front vice-president Dr Guy Scott has warned of a repeat of floods in Lusaka. And Dr Scott has challenged the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to tell the nation how the K5 billion meant for drainages was used”
PREPARE YOURSELVES IN ANY SMALL WAY YOU CAN AFFORD, COMMON MAN AND WOMAN.
THE ABOVE WARNING IS FROM THE POST NEWS PAPER.
#7 YOU ARE SPOT-ON. THATS THE IDEA. WATER ALWAYS FINDS IT LEVEL.
ba maureen u r a disgrace,just shup up and continue cleaning white pipos bums
Awe ba RUTH, lets accommodate divergent views.
#84 ruth you actually mean that Ba Maureen cleans white pipos bums? what about the blacks?
#86 mostly its white pipo,anyway how is your poor country zambia
I dont think there are any Zambians in Europe or America that can clean someones bums. Zambians are among some of the most educated foreigners in most countries
even as can refuse and choose a chip one
#88 I agree with you. Zambians are generally too dignified to do low class jobs abroad. Most Zambians I know working & living here are doctors, engineers, computer specialists or self-employed. But still, some “haters” find this fact very hard to believe and keep bashing us day in & day out.
Being a Janitor or a certified nurse’aid is not a crime it is a job,Cleaning people’s bums is ok someone has to do it.We work these jobs happily small or average we drive we have houses and put food on the table. Zambians abroad we work whatever job is available I am not ashamed because an educated man is not judged by the job,All over the United States there are more taxi drivers with Phds are they are Africans. I have worked as a Janitor,delivery driver,cleaning people’s bums and now I am a business owner.Too many of you Zambians lie alot to your relatives in Zambia please tell them the truth, You are second class citizens in these countries period,Tell them about your struggles
I call upon all the businesses in Zambia not to reduce their prices,The Govt should have thought through before they came up with all those higher prices of gasoline, by the way Petrol was too expensive in Zambia even before they increased it.Reducing prices of commodities and services is not a practical business sense in an economy like Zambia.
#91 I don’t know much about life in the US but the fact is that here in Germany one can barely survive without a steady & well paying job. The standard of life is just too high to be comfortable with petty jobs forever. The laws are also too sophisticated to permit immigrants second class citizenship (unless they are refugees). Social benefits are only due to those who have worked before, the more they earned, the more benefits they get, but this too diminishes with time.
So IF indeed there are Zambians living as second class citizens in Germany, they can only be refugees or have already turned German citizens.
How will black listing work?
Just put them through a proper vehicle fitness test. I am certain that more than 60% of those buses are on ‘bought fitness certificates’.
Cut out corruption at the Transport Ministry and we might get somewhere, and commuters will be relying on road worthy vehicles!
Forgot to add the name to my entry at no.94
#93 I come to Germany every year I have a seminar every February in Enschede,Netherlands then I visit friends in a City east of Hanover they are from Zambia he works in the bakery and the wife is a stay home mom she has small part time job.People are struggling in Germany just like all over Europe not like Zambia where there is social safety net.Zambia is a place where people call politicians there fathers who are so wicked that they eat well and forget their children.
I like this forum I encourage all the Zedians Let us begin to contribute in getting back from these leaders and many years of misrule by doing the following; 1. Run for Parliament help to come with laws which make sense in the economic running of the country 2. Open businesses at the cutting edge business which brings change e.g salaries and a work culture which rewards hardworking.Zambia is a land of opportunities, Zambia is a land flowing with milk and honey.
Bus operators desreve to be blacklisted wether there is fuel hike or reduction. I recently travelled to Zedi with my gdaugther..The only wise move I made was to hire transport from the airport to wherever I was going,.Due to some serious issues I was forced to travel to Chipata By bus.. Nmy daughter called it adventure..Thes kabovas fill up a bus at Inter city from 11.00hra whilst the bus leaves at 1430hrs.
Bus operators deserve to be blacklisted wether there is fuel hike or reduction. I recently travelled to Zedi with my daugther..The only wise move I made was to hire transport from the airport to wherever I was going,.Due to some serious issues I was forced to travel to Chipata by bus..my daughter called it adventure..These kabovas fill up a bus at Inter city from 11.00hrs whilst the bus leaves at 1430hrs.
they have no care in the world…:o:o:o:o:o:o:o
At#98 LT posted my contribution b4 I could make any spell check.. chaba shani imwe ba LT???? b-(b-(b-(b-(@-)@-)
anonymous, chewe, suppergal and ndolic. kindly try to mind your own business and if you are bored tell LT to put some more news otherwise all of you can kiss my rich a.s.s ! pan your panu all of you. stan your call, you sons of street beggars and retired tasintha members. watch it i will ruin your day as for you suppergal wa bar a can your ukukowela
Y cant we just blog in peace and harmony????????? 8->8->
# 92 Father Kwanzaa. I fail to understand the rationale behind your contribution.
There is always a reason for an increase, it being fuel, mealie meal or DSTV monthly subs.
Why should we not reduce when the same reason in the opposite? You do not need to look at how much you neighbour is charging because their costs may be different for the same goods. And this is the case normally.
Most businesses in Zambia are profiteering. Businesses like Multi Choice are good for nothing and are stealing from Zambians in the full view of everyone and I mean everyone. Bakabolala aba change goal posts when it suits them.
ua7r2j comment3 ,
Incredible site!
Great site. Keep doing.
Great site. Keep doing.