Commercial drivers raise fares to match fuel price increase

The decision taken by the Cameroon Government to increase prices of fuel and cooking gas has led to controversial ideas and changes in prices of basic commodities and transportation fares.

The June 30 decision that went operational on July1, in Bamenda and all over Cameroon, has caused the population to react.The increase in fuel prices has provoked transporters in Bamenda to come up with a new tariff being implemented by all travel agencies in the metropolis. The new tariff indicates an increase in transport fare raging from FCFA 1,000 to FCFA 3,000.

Transport fare from Bamenda to Yaounde, Buea or Douala is now FCFA 6,000 and FCFA 6,500 to Kumba per person. The two-page new tariff list posted outside the walls of travel agencies stated; “This is a temporary tariff and shall be adjusted as soon as the official tariff is received from the Government”.

The Manager of Mondial Travel Agency, Khan, told The Post: “This new tariff was put forward by transporters in Bamenda.” He added that they have increased fares by FCFA 1,000 because of the increase in fuel prices. He also said that the agency has not lost customers, despite the fact that commuters are complaining.

“I was surprised when I told that the fares of FCFA 5,000 is now FCFA 6,000. I had to go back home to look for the additional FCFA 1,000,” Desmond Chiy-bei, a passenger at Mondial Express intimated. He added that he cannot blame the management of the agency because it is due to the increase in fuel prices that transport fare has increased.

According to the Manager of Vatican Travel Agency, Kenneth Achu, fares have not increased. The agency has only added a small amount to meet up with the increase in the price of fuel. He said customers are not complaining because they know it is the decision of the Government.

At Guarantee Express Travel Agency, the cashier, Steve Ukah, told the reporter that the increase in fuel prices is a disturbance to the whole economy. He said they have lost about 20 percent of customers and that those who come to pay for tickets do so with a lot of reluctance.

“The economy of Cameroon is moving backward. This increase has led to an increase in fares and it’s a burden to the lay man and those who are not civil servants, especially parents sending children to school in different towns. I don’t know if parents will spend on transport fares or on school needs for their children”, Christopher Kebei , a passenger at Guarantee lamented.

Musango and Patience Travel Agencies have also increased transportation fares. Their customers are also complaining. The workers say they are experiencing a drop in the number of customers. Monica Forche, a worker at MRS filling station said customers are embarrassed by the increase in fuel prices, reason why consumption rate has reduced. Asked whether the allegation that the station mixes fuel with water is true, Forche asserted that; “It is out of ignorance that people say that. It is not possible for kerosene and water to mix”.

A taxi driver, Joseph Emmanuel, says he has no choice but to abide by the price hike given by the Government. He added that drivers were supposed to strike, but are waiting on Douala to start. He also said that customers are complaining and there is no alternative.

In an interview granted The Post, the Branch Manager of Amour Mezam, Bamenda, Antonie Kuete, said he does not need to seek advice from Government before increasing transport fares.

“We do not receive subventions from the Government, so, we have to implement our prices in a way that will enable us make profit.” Kuete averred that the new tariff is one that was initiated in Yaounde since 1993 but is being implemented now.

“We did not announce the new rates through the media because most Cameroonians do not read or listen to the radio,” she added. Victorine Tenguh, a passenger at Amour Mezam, travelling to Yaounde, said the increase in transportation fare is not good: “They would have informed people through the radio of the increase in fares. I just came and learnt of the increase here. Thank God I had extra money on me.”

James Nformi, another passenger travelling to Buea said: “I cannot really say I was happy paying an extra FCFA 1,000, but I have no choice because I have to travel. I do not think it is fair to pay FCFA 6,000 to Buea and Yaounde”.

Herve Tonta, a worker at the Olibya filling station at City Chemist Roundabout Bamenda, said their customers are complaining but they are still buying fuel. He, however, stated that the increase in fuel prices has not reduced their number of customers, but dismissed the claim that filling stations mix petrol with water.

“We have serious control every week. A team comes from Yaounde and if they see such a thing taking place, they will close down the station.”