adminOswell Moyo Chronicle Reporter
CROSS-BORDER public transporters plying the Bulawayo-Johannesburg route have increased fares by between 30 and 65 percent ahead of the festive season.The transporters said they were taking advantage of increased demand for transport during the Christmas holidays. They warned that they might be forced to increase the fares again a few days before Christmas Day.
Chronicle yesterday established that Greyhound had increased fares from R455 to R750 for a single trip. Intercape Bus which usually charges $42 has increased fares to $55 while Citiliner fares jumped from R420 to R660.
A Revival Motorways spokesperson told Chronicle that his company intends to increase fares from R350 to R650. An Intercape ticket salesperson who declined to be named said travellers should expect a fresh wave of fare increases around December 19.
“Our fares are not stable. Today it may be $55 but next week we might increase again. From December 19 it is definite that from South Africa to Bulawayo, travellers will pay $74.
“Our buses are fully booked. Travellers are now making Sunday and Monday bookings,” he said.
In separate interviews, travellers complained that the cross-border buses were likely to influence local commuter omnibus and long distance buses to increase their fares.
“We can’t have people taking advantage of increased demand during public holidays to exploit travellers by charging exorbitant fares,” said Victor Mgiyelwa.
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