Bus users in the Malagasy capital find themselves in confusion and discontent. When the increase in fuel prices was announced at the beginning of the week, the authorities had indicated that they had reached an agreement with the cooperatives to limit the increase in the bus ticket to 100 ariary, or a 20% increase. But discord reigns: several companies increased their prices again at the end of the week, beyond the amount agreed with the authorities.
From our correspondent in Antananarivo,
At the Mausoleum bus stop, in the center of the capital, it is consternation for many passengers. ” Bus fees are adjusted to 800 ariary », Indicates a small poster inside the vehicle. Lucienne, 56, a teacher, has just seen him:
” Leaving home, what I knew was that the ticket was now 600 ariary, because that’s what the president said. But that price is unbearable. We’re going to have to save even more on our food budget because salaries aren’t going up and we can’t lower the price of our rent either. »
While the bus remained the only means of transport accessible to the majority of the inhabitants of Antananarivo, this 60% increase forces some to change their habits. This is the case for Anja, who has to take three buses to get to work:
” I will choose to walk when I can because 800 ariary multiplied by three is 2 400 ariary. You can buy three timbales of rice with this amount. »
A price that employees struggle to pay to acceptsays Aina, driver: “ There was already an increase at the beginning of the week and there, three days later, another. People complain a lot and don’t agree at all to pay this price. »
The 100 ariary increase set by some cooperatives with the authorities is too low compared to at the price of dieselexplain the managers of the companies which have chosen to increase their prices again.
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