March 19, 2024

Corona Restrictions hike Public Transport Fares

Matatu Owners Association Coast coordinator Salim Mbarak. Image; (Courtesy)

BY PETER KOMBE

Email: thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Public service vehicles operating within Mombasa County have increased fares as Covid-19 pandemic hits the country’s economy.

According to Matatu Owners Association Coast coordinator Salim Mbarak the new fares are a temporary adjustment and will get back to normalcy once the pandemic is contained.

He says the fares are the lowest in the country.

“Look at other places like Nairobi, and other major towns the prices have really shot up. We do not want to hurt our clients,” he noted.

Daily fares along the Bamburi-Ferry/Docks stands at ksh 100 from the previous sh 80.

Addressing the media in Mombasa town, Mubarak said stage to stage fare remains Sh30.

The coordinator claimed that the association was working on a modality aimed at benefiting all stakeholders noting that they are talking with the government to get the fuel prices lowered.

“We want the government to reduce the price of fuels so that the fares can go back to normal,” 

Meanwhile, Kenya Boda Boda, Tuk tuk and Taxi Workers Union Secretary General Cynthia Wanyonyi wants the government to reduce the price of fuels adding that some PSV transport stakeholders might take advantage of the situation.

Kenya Boda Boda, Tuk tuk and Taxi Workers Union Secretary General Cynthia Wanyonyi. Image; (Courtesy)

Wanyonyi observed that  most Kenyans cannot afford the fares due to harsh economic times in various parts of the country.

“I want to applaud efforts made by the government in containing the virus. All citizens must adhere to the directives so that they can remain safe,” she noted

The worker’s secretary wants public transport sector to adhere to all government directives in order to combat the spread of the corona virus.

Meanwhile, Vincent Odindo a matatu driver plying the Mshomoroni- Mwembe Tayari route decried high prices of sanitizers.

He says a 500ml bottle of a sanitizer retails at Ksh 750 which he notes is quite expensive.

“We have sanitized our Matatus the only challenge is that they are so expensive,” he noted.

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