The bush taxi transport company Soatrans is warning users of an imminent increase in its fares due to the continued deterioration of the road conditions. An increase estimated at between 10 and 15% of the current fare, while these mini-buses connecting the regions are the only affordable means of public transport on the island. Other cooperatives are also threatening to increase their fares soon.
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With our correspondent in Antananarivo, Pauline Le Troquier
Crowded bush taxis set off one by one from this station in the capital Malagasy. For the opening of the “famadihana”the rite of turning the dead on the island, many Malagasy people are taking to the road this weekend. Trips that will become increasingly rare in the future, believes Nicole, a user: “ Everything is increasing, except the salary. Not everyone can afford a trip at that price, so in the future, people will travel only when necessary, but not for pleasure. It has become a luxury to travel. »
The increase in fares will only affect national lines, which are the most affected by the deterioration of the roads. It will cost around 70,000 ariary (around 16 euros) to reach the city of Majunga in the north, compared to 65,000 ariary (around 14 euros) currently, the company told RFI, which has not yet revealed its revised fares. A decision that is simply inevitable, explains Fanantenana, an employee of the company Soatrans. We have no choice, everything costs us more: the maintenance of the cars and we also have to employ more drivers, because each journey takes us twice as long because of the state of the road. »
As a safety measure, the company has in fact assigned two drivers per car on the riskiest routes. Heritiana is a regular user who understands the constraints that weigh on the cooperative. I understand their point of view and it’s true that the road is really ugly. It destroys their cars, we spend a lot of time on the road, we waste time… All this costs the company a lot of money. »
In the coming days, talks are planned between the state and transport companies, which are also concerned about a rise in the price of fuel.
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