SENATOR Lorraine Nxumalo has suggested that government should consider running the public transport industry as this could make transport more affordable for commuters, particularly those travelling long distances.
She raised the proposal during the Senate debate on the Maximum Bus and Taxi Fares (Amendment) Regulations, 2022, which seek to allow a 25% increase in public transport fares.
Nxumalo said some countries operated public transport services through the government, making it possible for commuters to access cheaper transport. She wanted to know whether the country had considered regulating the industry more directly or introducing a system in which government operated public transport services.
Her proposal came amid concerns over the rising cost of fuel and its impact on public transport fares.
The senator also questioned whether the reported 24% increase in salaries for transport workers had been implemented in practice or existed only on paper.
She sought clarity on whether workers were actually receiving the reported increase, given the concerns about their wages and benefits.
Responding to the questions, Senator Dr Stukie Motsa said transport workers were part of negotiations through the Wages Council.
She said their working hours and welfare were considered in the negotiations and were addressed in the regulations governing the sector. Motsa also said government had engaged transport operators and agreed to an adjustment of fares, while further discussions would consider how best to address the challenges facing the industry.
The Senate subsequently adopted the motion to debate and adopt the amended fare regulations.
Bus fares could reach E40 for short trips – Senator
BUS fares for short distances could reach E40 if fuel prices continue rising while salaries remain stagnant, Senator Princess Ncengencenge has warned.
She raised the concern during the Senate debate on the Maximum Bus and Taxi Fares (Amendment) Regulations, 2022, which seek to allow a 25% increase in public transport fares.
The senator questioned whether the proposed increase would be enough to sustain transport operators if fuel prices continued to rise, warning that Parliament could find itself repeatedly considering further fare increases.
“When looking at the situation, one wonders if the proposed bus fare increase will be enough if the prices of fuel keep going up or we will be back in the chamber again deliberating on yet another proposed increase. By the look of things, those travelling short distances will end up paying E40,” she submitted.
She said government needed to develop a long-term solution that would balance the needs of commuters and transport operators instead of repeatedly approving fare increases.
“It will not help anyone to deliberate and pass a proposed bus fares increase today but come back three weeks later with another proposed increase. Government should have a long-term solution on this, which will clearly state strategies that will find a common ground for both commuters and transport operators,” she said.
Princess Ncengencenge said the proposed fare adjustment did not take into account the latest fuel price increase, which had pushed costs up further.
She noted that while fuel prices continued to rise, salaries remained unchanged, placing additional pressure on people who depended on public transport.
She said rising fuel costs affected every citizen, as people needed transport to reach work, hospitals and other destinations.
The senator said the transport sector required careful handling because operators could suspend services, leaving commuters without transport.
She referred to the disruption of public transport operations during the 2021 political unrest as an indication of the consequences when services were affected.
Senator Dr Stukie Motsa, who moved the motion for the Senate to debate and adopt the regulations in terms of Section 253(3) of the Constitution, said fuel prices had increased by at least 59% during the year, while salaries for transport workers had increased by 24%.
She said the last bus fare adjustment was in 2022 and that operators were struggling with rising fuel costs and the prices of vehicle parts, including tyres. Motsa said it would be difficult for operators to continue providing services if operating costs kept increasing while fares remained unchanged.
She warned that commuters without private vehicles would struggle to reach their workplaces and other destinations if transport operators stopped operating.
Senator Princess Ntfombiyenkhosi said while government was helping cushion the impact of fuel price increases, an adjustment in public transport fares was also necessary.
She said transport workers had also raised concerns about their benefits remaining stagnant, adding that their wish was for a 100% increase in fares.
In response, Motsa said government had reached an agreement with transport operators to increase fares following engagements between the two parties.
She said operators had also been encouraged to form associations through which their concerns could be discussed, adding that further engagements would be held to determine how best to address the challenges facing the sector.
On transport workers’ wages, Motsa said their remuneration was discussed through the Wages Council, taking into account their working hours and welfare, as provided for under the regulations governing the sector.
| Senator / Official | Key Concern / Proposal | Context & Arguments Raised |
|---|---|---|
| Senator Lorraine Nxumalo | Proposed government-run public transport system; questioned 24% wage hike implementation. | Argued state-operated transit lowers long-distance commuter costs; sought verification on whether transport workers actually receive awarded raises. |
| Senator Princess Ncengencenge | Warned short-distance fares could reach E40; called for comprehensive long-term strategy. | Noted salaries remain stagnant while fuel escalates; cautioned against rolling piecemeal fare increases and cited risk of service shutdowns as seen in 2021 unrest. |
| Senator Dr Stukie Motsa | Moved adoption of 25% fare hike motion under Section 253(3) of Constitution. | Highlighted a 59% rise in fuel costs since the last 2022 adjustment; noted soaring tyre/spare parts costs and pointed to Wages Council oversight for worker welfare. |
| Senator Princess Ntfombiyenkhosi | Supported regulated fare adjustment alongside state cushioning measures. | Observed that transport workers desired up to a 100% fare increase due to stagnant benefits, necessitating a balanced compromise. |
| Legislative Status: Senate adopted the motion to debate and adopt the Maximum Bus and Taxi Fares (Amendment) Regulations, 2022. | ||
Breakdown of legislative arguments during the Senate debate on public transport fare regulations.
