Golden Arrow says no fare hike
|Published
Photographer Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency(ANA)
Golden Arrow Bus Services will not increase fares to protect passengers amid the escalating cost of living.
The Cape Town bus operator said that despite the upcoming increase in the fuel price, they would not increase fares to cushion their passengers, reports IOL.
“The upcoming increase in the price of diesel is going to be yet another blow for Golden Arrow, but we have decided not to increase fares at this stage to provide our passengers with some small sense of relief amid all of the price increases they are facing” said general manager Derick Meyer.
Meyer said diesel was the company’s single biggest expense item other than wages.
“Golden Arrow will, however, continue to absorb these increases for as long as possible. Going forward, we will continue to monitor the situation closely but would like to once again assure our passengers that we are committed to making travel on our buses as cost effective as we can. Fare increases will never be implemented unless completely unavoidable.”
He said any potential future increases would be discussed with the Western Cape Provincial Department of Transport and notice would be given in advance to all affected parties.
A massive fuel hike of over R3 per litre is predicted for June, as the government relief of R1.50 on the fuel levy is expected to lapse next month.
According to the Automobile Association, mid-month unaudited data was pointing towards petrol price increases of between R1.93 and R1.97 a litre while diesel was expected to rise by between R1.60 and R1.62, and illuminated paraffin by R2.14.