TRANSPORT AGENCIES IN BOTH ANGLOPHONE REGIONS HAVE INCREASED TRANSPORT FARES

The Association of Promoters of Interurban Transport Agencies of Cameroon (APITAC) has increased transport fares between certain towns. Most of these agencies are located in the North-West and South-West regions of the country.

According to the travel agencies, transport fares are increasing because of the two recent increases in fuel prices in 2023 and 2024 respectively, and the social sacrifices they have made to date to offer passengers the best possible service.

In March 2024, the minimum fares for intercity passenger transport in conventional buses will be as follows: Yaoundé-Bamenda or Bamenda-Yaoundé: 6,500FCFA; Douala-Bamenda or Bamenda-Douala: 6,500 FCFA; Bamenda-Buea or Buea-Bamenda: 7,500 FCFA; Bamenda-Limbe or Limbe-Bamenda:  7,500 FCFA; Bamenda-Kumba or Kumba-Bamenda: 8,500 FCFA.

The decision to increase transport costs comes after the Minister of Commerce also increased transport rates for commercial taxes in towns. The Minister had increased urban transport fares from 300 FCFA to  350 FCFA during the day and from 350 FCFA to  400 FCFA at night, and a fare of 16 F/km for intercity transport.

All this is due to the increase in the price of fuel. However, in order to reduce the burden on citizens, the government has also increased the minimum salary wage from 41,000 to 43,000 FCFA.

A series of measures have been announced by Minister René Emmanuel Sadi as emanating from the Head of State, with the aim of mitigating the negative effects of the increase in fuel prices for the people of Cameroon.

These includes:

– Raising the income of public servants to 5% of their basic salary;

– Opening a dialogue with the private sector with a view to raising the guaranteed inter-professional minimum salary wage, as well as on related issues;

– Reducing certain tax and customs charges in the road transport sector;

– Finally,  the continuation of negotiations with all stakeholders, in order to mitigate the impact of the above-mentioned readjustment on household purchasing power and business activity.

For René Emmanuel Sadi, the price increase measure taken and the government’s initiatives to mitigate its negative impact are to be welcomed.

Delia Nyadi