Cape Town: Cape Town commuters have quickly reacted to the fare increase announced by Golden Arrow Bus Services (Gabs) this morning.
The bus company’s social media page was filled with unhappy commuters who said the increase was unfair amid the economic downturn.
The 8% increase will be effective from Monday next week. This will be the second fare increase in just three months.
“Considering the current global unrest and the accompanying economic effects, it is clear that the South African economy is going to continue to find itself in a very difficult position,” Gabs said.
“The diesel price has increased by 81% in the last 18 months and current projections predict that fuel prices will continue to soar. This has knock-on effects across our supply chain.”
GABS said that where possible, it implemented only one increase a year.
“However, we now find ourselves in the very difficult position of having to find the balance between what is affordable for our passengers and what is needed to compensate for unrelenting cost increases across our operations.”
The company also cautioned that further increases might become necessary as the year progressed.
Commuter Sihle Mahlabeni said he found the statement ridiculous.
“The reason for the December increase was to mitigate this, its purpose was to cover the increasing fuel price. You cannot have two fares increase in less than three months, I would understand if this was temporarily to go down with the drop of the fuel price. Golden, do better and be considerate.”
Zanele Ngubani said that if people did not take their power back, fare increases would continue.
“They will continue to increase fares as we do nothing to fight this system that exploits the poor. Everything increases by a few rands every month, yet we still sit with incomes that rarely increase to counteract the inflation rate.”
Minibus taxis are also expected to announce fare increases in the upcoming days as petrol prices continue to rise.
Weekend Argus