Price hike for Chapas has just been approved by Maputo City Municipal Assembly

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Price hike for Chapas has just been approved by Maputo City Municipal Assembly

3:09 CAT | 20 Sep 2017

File photo / People struggling to board an already overcrowded Chapa [minibus] in Maputo

The price of transport should increase from 7 to 10 meticais and from 9 to 12 meticais, in Maputo City. The fare hike was approved today by the Maputo Municipal Assembly.

The revision of the transport fare was submitted to the Municipal Assembly by the Maputo city council, proposing an increase from the current 7 to 12 meticais, for distances equal to or less than 10 kilometres and from 9 to 15 meticais for distances greater than 10 km and less than 20 km.

Justifying thedecision with the economic situation, the Municipal Assembly lowered the proposal of the new fares from 7 to 10 meticais and from 9 to 12 meticais respectively.

The proposal was put to the debate by the body, but its content did not reach consensus. The MDM argues that there should be no price rise because the living conditions of residents have deteriorated.

Also Read: Government promise to import 300 buses puts Chapas price hike on hold – Mozambique

Frelimo says yes to the adjustment and jargues that the rise will create conditions to improve the quality and availability of transportation. In the end, the majority of Frelimo approved the proposal.

The entry into force of the new fares is dependent on the arrival of the lot of buses promised by the Government, expected to take place by December this year. The last time the transport fares were was revised was in 2012 when it rose from 5 to 7 meticais and from 7 to 9 meticais.

Also Read: While negotiating “the best chapa fare that citizens’ pockets can afford”: 300 more buses for Maputo

The City Council says it will continue to negotiate with the private sector to find the best solutions to improve the quality of transportation in the city of Maputo. Reacting the approved fares, Transport Councillor João Matlombe said that the fares under discussion are far below covering operational costs.

Also Read: Our daily bread: Smaller and more expensive – Mozambique

Source: O País