COMMUTERS could soon pay 25% more for journeys of up to 8km under fare increases recommended by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport Portfolio committee.
The recommendation is contained in the committee’s report on the Maximum Bus and Taxi Fares (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 tabled by committee Chairman Magesi Dlamini yesterday.
The committee recommended that the maximum bus and taxi fare for the first 8km be increased from E10 to E12.50 while fares for longer distances would increase by 10%.
Under the proposed tariff structure, journeys exceeding 8km but not more than 50km would increase from 70 cents to 77 cents per kilometre. Journeys exceeding 50km would rise from 66 cents to 72.60 cents per kilometre.
The recommendations follow consultations involving the ministry of public works and transport, the National Road Transport Council (NRTC), consumer representatives and the portfolio committee.
The transport industry initially proposed a 50% increase in fares, citing rising fuel and operating costs.
However, the ministry proposed a lower adjustment, with the first 8km increasing by 25% and per-kilometre charges for longer distances increasing by between 5% and 6%.
The NRTC later submitted a counter-proposal, which was accepted by the committee, resulting in the recommended 25% increase for the first 8km and 10% increases for longer-distance travel.
The ministry said the review was necessary against the backdrop of rising fuel prices and the impact these had on public transport operations.
According to the ministry, unleaded petrol 95 increased from E19.45 per litre in February 2026 to E22.35 in April before rising to E25.27 in May. Diesel increased from E19.85 per litre in February to E31.60 in May. The ministry said this represented increases of 29.9% for petrol and 59.2% for diesel between February and May 2026.
The increases prompted the road passenger transport industry, through the NRTC, to approach government for a fare adjustment.
The ministry also said the review sought to ensure the sustainability of public transport operations while protecting commuters from excessive increases.
Under the committee’s recommended structure, a 37km trip between Mbabane and Manzini via the MR103 would increase from the 2022 gazetted fare of E30.30 to E44.40.
A 41km trip between Mbabane and Manzini via the MR3 would rise from E33.10 to E48.80.
Manzini to Mankayane would increase from E40.36 to E63.10, while Mbabane to Pigg’s Peak would rise from E48.28 to E76.30.
For longer routes, Manzini to Hlatikulu would rise to E88.40, while Manzini to Lomahasha and Nhlangano would increase to E118.10 and E119.20, respectively.
The committee said the recommended structure sought to balance the financial pressures facing transport operators with commuters’ ability to pay.
During deliberations, committee members raised concerns about the impact of higher fares on low-income earners and elderly people. They also questioned the ministry on overtrading, permit rentals and the number of public transport permits issued.
The ministry acknowledged that overtrading remained a challenge, particularly on routes linking major urban centres. It said the Road Transportation Board had been engaged to finalise recommendations on addressing the problem.
It also plans to introduce a Road Transport Permit Management System to address permit rentals by linking vehicle owners with permit holders.
It said permits are valid for three years and renewable annually to allow authorities to verify vehicle and ownership details.
The ministry further said future fare reviews would no longer be directly linked to fuel price increases. Instead, it plans to develop a scientific bus fare model that would consider a range of operational costs incurred by transport operators.
The NRTC requested that government finance a consultancy to develop the proposed model.
The Consumer Association raised concerns about the burden of higher fares on commuters, arguing that consumers were not similarly protected when fuel prices fell.
It also called for tighter control over the issuing of public transport permits, regular road maintenance and a national transport indaba where members of the public could raise concerns about the transport system.
The committee has recommended that Parliament adopt its report on the Maximum Bus and Taxi Fares Regulations, 2026, together with the proposed amendments.
