DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 23: The Ethekwini Youth Employment Indaba at Durban Exhibition Centre on May 23, 2019 in Durban, South Africa. The three-day event aims to provide an enabling environment for the youth of eThekwini Municipality and KwaZulu-Natal to engage with opportunities that will lead them to making informed career choices, and give them more info on employment opportunities and the support offered by various institutions for the youth. (Photo by Gallo Images/Darren Stewart)
Durban commuters to pay more with latest bus fare hike
eThekwini Municipality has just announced its latest bus fare increases which come into effect from 1 May.
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 23: The Ethekwini Youth Employment Indaba at Durban Exhibition Centre on May 23, 2019 in Durban, South Africa. The three-day event aims to provide an enabling environment for the youth of eThekwini Municipality and KwaZulu-Natal to engage with opportunities that will lead them to making informed career choices, and give them more info on employment opportunities and the support offered by various institutions for the youth. (Photo by Gallo Images/Darren Stewart)
Durban commuters will have to dig deeper to use the city’s bus services as the municipality has announced that the bus fare for its municipal bus service will go up by 7,7% with effect from the start of next month.
A report for the latest Durban Transport bus fare increases was tabled and approved at the eThekwini Municipality’s Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday.
“The Durban Transport bus service that provides access and mobility to approximately 50 000 passengers daily is due to increase by 7.7% effective 1 May 2021 subject to approval at full council later this month,” eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said in a statement.
“The increase is part of the contract which stipulates that fares must be reviewed and increased annually in keeping with inflation and to ensure operating services are maintained, ” he said.
Commenting on the latest bus fare increase eThekwini Municipality mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, said: “We are aware that given the economic climate the increase is not easy for our residents but it is appreciated that it is lower than the previous years 8.85% increase.”
An Independent Economic Assessment by Transport Economic Support Service (TESS), appointed by the KZN Department of Transport is done annually to inform the recommended fare increase based on economic indicators, Mayisela said.
According to the report the non-approval or non-implementation of the annual fare increase would result in a situation where the operator can claim for financial losses against the Municipality, as was previously done.
“It was also noted at the meeting that the litigation standoff between the Municipality and Tasnat is set for adjudication in May and plans for setting up an entity to operate the bus service is at an advanced stage,” Mayisela said.
