Fare hike worries passengers

EASTERN PROVINCE NYAGATARE/GATSIBO - Local passengers in Nyagatare and Gatsibo districts are worried over the newly set transport fares, The New Times can reliably reveal. Despite having been aware of the new move, scores of passengers using various public transport operators in Nyagatare were caught by surprise at the increased fares. ‘This new fare is beyond my capacity. I can not pay this entire amount. Bring back my money. I would rather communicate with my Kigali relatives via telephone call,’ said an old man who visibly expressed ignorance and shock at the new fares by Sotra bus company in Nyagatare yesterday. Rwf 2,500 is the new fare from Nyagatare town to Kigali,up from of Rwf 1,800 that has been paid until last week. Residents complained that the new fares was way beyond their means. ‘I have a brother who is currently hospitalized at Kigali Central University Hospital (CHUK). I have been making some visits to CHUK but with the new fares it is going to be difficult for me,’ Claude Ngirumpatse, a resident of Rukomo sector said. When The New Times visited Kabarore town yesterday evening, passengers expressed the same concerns. ‘These new fares are high. It is as if the government has not considered the living conditions of the local people like us. This decision should be vetoed by the Government. We cannot afford this,’ Ernest Munyampeta, a resident of Kabarore Sector said. The new fare from Kabarore town to Kigali is Rwf 2,000 up from the previous Rwf 1,500. 47-year-old Esperance Nyinawumuntu, a resident of Gatsibo Sector, said: ‘normally residents use transport for selling agricultural products like bananas and beans. The new fares is going to affect how we sell our produces,’ she said. Upon being contacted for a comment the transport operators justified the increment by citing similar increments in costs such as fuel and spare parts. The new fares is also likely to adversely affect the local commuter taxi operators commonly known as ‘Twegerane’. Hirari Nkurayija, a commuter taxi driver along Nyagatare-Kigali road said that the increase in transport fares will mostly likely affect them. Ends