The Road Traffic and Safety Agency (RATSA) has threatened to suspend road service licences for bus operators who have allegedly implemented hiked bus fares without following laid down procedure.
RATSA Executive Director Zindaba Soko said the agency will not hesitate to suspend road service licences for bus operators who have decided to disregard the law.
Mr. Soko told ZANIS in Lusaka today that bus operators were fully aware of the procedure that should be followed before implementing bus fare hikes since this was not the first time transport charges are being adjusted in the country.
He further explained that representatives of a group of luxury buses operators has written to the agency requesting for an adjustment of bus fares by today, 6th May 2013.
He said these were advised to wait for feedback from the agency.
Mr. Soko also said the agency has not refused to accord an upward adjustment in bus fares saying a concrete date for the desired increase can only be communicated after discussions have been concluded by all concerned stakeholders including the Ministry of Transport, Communications, Works and Supply.
He disclosed that the agency will today meet all bus operators and stakeholders to discuss the way forward regarding bus fare increment.
And Public and Private Drivers Association of Zambia president Josiah Majuru said local bus operators were still waiting for further instruction from government before they can implement the hiked fares.
Meanwhile, Lusaka Bus Operators Association chairperson Ismail Kankara said his members have abided to government’s directive and will wait for the outcome from a meeting that will be held today between government and transport stakeholders.
Yesterday, some long distance luxury bus operators allegedly hiked bus fares despite warnings from government that it will be illegal for anyone to effect the hiked fares.
The decision to adjust bus fares upwards was necessitated by the increase of about KR1.65 per litre of fuel last week.
ZANIS
It’s RTSA ba LT and not RaTSA. Don’t know how many times we gonna tell you mwe.
You are right – it has become a cliche. It reminds me of how ZSIC used to be referred to as “ZISC” … Maybe they should try ROTSA…
WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO ALLOW US CHOOSE BUSES AND MINIBUS WE WANT TO BOARD?
SECONDLY WHEN ARE YOU REMOVING THESE HOPELESS CADRES ON EACH AND EVERY STATION.
WE ARE FED UP OF BEEN HARASSED AND INSULTED BY THESE LAWLESS PF CADRES.
PASS A LAW FOR US TO CHOOSE BUSES WE WANT TO BOARD.
HOW LONG SHOULD A BUS WAIT ON ONE STATION WHILE ON TRANSIT.
TOO MANY PICKUPS ON THE ROAD. IT EXPENSIVE AND RISKY, BUT WE STILL THE SERVICES.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111!!DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SENSE. KAPONYAS LITERALLY GRABBING MARRIED WOMEN INTO A BUS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
Its about time.
JUST ENFORCE THE LAW!
Rtsa dont intimidate bus operators like that iwe mwana waimbwa!
Why insult. Can Mwana waimbwa write here>>>>>>> think before you respond.
What a joke. Let government leave the bus fares to economic market forces of demand and supply. We still remember how government failed with a parastal like liquidated UBZ. The less interference in this sector the better.
rtsa must realise that operators a running bussinesses and time is very essential. the sooner u make the decicion the better.to avoid this circus every time fuel goes up my advice to all concerned is sit down device a system(formula) that will take care of all future changes-up or dowm-so that any change we simply go to the formula and automatically effect change.we know that rtsa can not make a decision even as they negotiate with operators, they have to consult government meaning unneccesary lossesto operators
What a joke. Let government leave the bus fares to economic market forces of demand and supply. We still remember how government failed with a parastal like liquidated UBZ. The less interference on price controls in this sector the better otherwise it may become unprofitable with investors leaving the sector.
Please do not resort to arm twistting tactics.Let market forces prevail.And you transporters or bust operators dont form curtails to punish the travelling public.
It would have been a lot more helpful if RTSA had said when they expect the negotiations to be concluded than to issue such threats to the nation!
RTSA should be proactive in dealing with these matters by meeting bus operators before the fuel hikes or immediately after. To react after bus operators have adjusted fares is a sign of irresponsibility.
When the Government hiked fuel prices, there were no negotiations, but when bus operators want to hike bus fares, we need meetings to negotiate, why?
It is on record that the justification was that only few people drive cars. They forgot that actually most people travel. Now the consequences are grave. Chelston to town this time you may need K20+K20 food 26 days=1040. Add increased zesco bills 400+35% tax on anything you buy. Meal-mill K100 x2. chicken k35 x10. house rentals K1600 etc etc. PaZED weekend at least two for the road 150. Kapopo nakeve. Talk time K100
“””””””””””HOW DO EXPECT PEOPLE NOT BE CORRUPT”””””
“””Scratch my back!!! I will scratch yours”””
where is ithitching…. lol.
PF has created a BIG MESS in Zambia !! It seems he has no clue what to do with the country !! If the Captain of a ship has no clue about where to stir it or how to stir it towards socio-economic deliverance….would you opt to be on that ship…simply because they are serving free food and dishing out Kwachas???? It seems there are a lot of dummies in that Zambian country of yours !!!!
I thought Zambia is a liberalised economy
Ba RaTSA, whatever you are called, I have mate all the conditions you required of my taxis and buses. I don’t know why the PF govt decided to remove subsidies on fuel, but I damn well have to make a profit. So don’t impose anything on me. I worked hard for my flock.
Well done RTSA
Its good that RTSA is making these moves. What irks me is how we let operators break the law and sit back making fruitless threats. Most of big operators Mazhandu inclusive have hiked beyond the 15% recommendation. Can you as RTSA correct the situation!