WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — The recent price increase in fuel countrywide and subsequent hike in transport fare has left a toll on both travellers and transporters.

 According to a recent min-survey done by The New Times, in Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts, passengers complain of high charges while drivers complain of a drop in the number of passengers.

Transporters recently attributed the hike to souring prices of fuel according to Rtd. Col. Dodo Twahirwa, the president of the commuter taxi driver’s association.

 Now passengers have to part with Frw3500 from Cyangugu to Kigali from the usual Frw3000. Some commuter taxis have increased by Fr 700.

Even the government transport company [ONATRACOM] known for subsidized charges has increased by Fr300 from 2700.

 "These days we are making losses because we get few passengers and according to my observation we are likely to step out of the business if our government does not intervene to solve this fuel crisis,” said one of the drivers.

Damascene Habimana, one of the passengers interviewed by The New Times at Kamembe Park suggested that it was increasingly becoming difficult to travel unless it was extremely necessary.

Travellers are even afraid the fares may continue increasing as Christmas draws near.

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