Transport fare hikes

NYAGATARE/GATSIBO - Following the recent increase in fuel prices, transport fares have gone up along different routes in the Eastern Province. Fares from Kabarore to Kigali increased from Rwf1500 to Rwf2200, while passengers heading to Kigali from Nyagatare have to part with Rwf2500 up from Rwf2000. Speaking to The New Times on Saturday, scores of passengers in Nyagatare and Gatsibo districts said the transporters had unfairly hiked their prices. ‘The increase is too much,’ Emma Kayitare, one of the passengers in Gatsibo district said. In an interview, Margaret Mwiza, an employee of Belvedere lines- a transport agency operating in Nyagatare said that fare was hiked as a result of increase in fuel prices. ‘We agreed with other travel agencies to increase the charges. Some passengers have accepted the increase while others complain but we had no option,’ she said. Saidi Mbonyinshuti, of SOTRA tours and travel said that the number of travelers has reduced due to the increased fare, with many passengers preferring to travel with the governments’ transport agency (ONATRACOM) that charges less. Ends

National

Transport fare hikes