Beira’s new transport fares pending government approval

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Beira’s new transport fares pending government approval

1:07 CAT | 13 Jul 2022

FLE - Beira Transporters Association (ATABE) said at a press conference on Monday (11-07) that the ‘chapeiros’ strike would end only after talks with the municipal authorities and the ministry. [File photo: Radio Pax]

Beira City Council says that the increase in the price of transport is conditional on the approval of the central government. Carriers demand a new tariff as they enter their second day of stoppage.

The law establishes that, after submission to the central government, the process of consideration must take no more than 45 days.

“Right now, what we can tell you is that the document [the Municipality approval of the new fares] is with the Ministry of State Administration,” municipal Councillor for Transport and Communication, Flora Mpula, told the media on Tuesday (12-07).

Mpula said the new fares had already been approved by the municipality and that the law establishes that, after submission to the central government, the process of consideration must take no more than 45 days.

“If we do not have a response within 45 days, it means that we have already been authorized,” she added.

Stoppage of the “chapeiros”

Beira’s transport crisis began on Monday, when the drivers of buses and other informal urban transport vehicles again parked up demanding a review of transport fares in the city.

The municipality approved proposed fare increases from 10 meticais (€0.15) to 15 meticais (0€.23) for trips within the city, and to 25 meticais (€0.29) for journeys outside the city.

READ: Mozambique: Beira minibus drivers go on strike – AIM

Américo Mussicuane, president of the Association of Transporters of Beira (ATABE), which convened the protest, said transporters could restart operations this Wednesday, after a meeting with the Ministry of Transport and the Municipal Council.

With so many public transport vehicles standing idle at the terminals, many workers and students have been forced to walk to their destinations.

Automatic fare adjustment

Last week, the Mozambican Federation of Road Transport Associations (FEMATRO) asked the government to impose a mechanism for the automatic adjustment of fares in order to put an end to the uncertainty regarding the setting of tariffs and the consequent viability of the business.

FEMATRO’s proposal came after a spontaneous strike by passenger transport drivers in Maputo city and province in protest at the increase in fuel prices.

The Mozambican Ministry of Transport and Communications has promised compensation and subsidies to carriers to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices in Mozambique.

READ: Mozambique: State mobilises $135M in subsidies to help address inflation – Watch

Mozambique: ‘Chapa’ strike in Greater Maputo