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Public react to imminent hike in bus fare |04 September 2021

Public react to imminent hike in bus fare

On Thursday, September 3, the parent ministry of the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation announced an increase in bus fare, effective next month. Minister for Transport, Antony Derjacques, declared that the present fare of R7 would increase to R10 for smart card users and R12 for commuters using cash as from October 1, 2021. Bus fare will cost R15 on the weekends and public holidays.

Seychelles NATION scoured social media to gauge the public reaction on the increment and how it will affect them. Opinions varied as some people believed that it was high time SPTC becomes less reliant on government subsidy but quite a majority stated that this increase would directly impact on household’s incomes and low income earners. The comments also showed that the public are expecting a higher standard of service and quality buses with the R3 and more increase in fares.

Andre Servina says: “I feel the increase has its raison d’être and I understand. However everybody nowadays talk about new business models. Is there not a need to seriously evaluate the current model? Should SPTC remain as the sole transport company? What are other means of transport that could be explored? TATA has been in Seychelles for decades now; can’t we explore more modern types of buses suitable for our context? All in all commuters expect to see a real improvement in service.”

Lisette Marie: “There should be an option that the passenger can use that ticket twice within two hours or so, so that if they are getting another bus they can benefit from it.”

Paul Kilindo: “I don’t see it as fair as a lot of people are struggling with pay cuts in their salaries. And now, we have to worry about to how to pay for bus fares? How about those who have to take two to three buses just to go to work? Go back to the drawing board on this one. And R15 on Sundays and public holidays! Come on SPTC and yet you are nowhere close to reliable and comfort is a word you will never understand.”

Sasha-Lee Marivel Alis: “If prices are increasing might as well go all the way and import proper, less run down buses that are better equipped for the roads (slimmer, with the accordion feature in the middle so the bus can take sharp turns, with AC and adequate comfortable seating.) Improving public transportation is the easiest way to improve people’s quality of life.”

Ronald Farber: “Can understand but it's the less affluent part of the population which gets the biggest blow from this....again.”      

A traveller from the central region: “The price SPTC was charging before was ridiculous; nowhere in the world would you get such cheap prices for long bus rides. Baie Lazare to Victoria for R7, I mean come on. In order to maintain SPTC, it had to increase its prices. However, prices should vary depending on the routes…you cannot pay R15 to districts in the central region such as Mont Buxton. We hope this increase brings along improvements in quality and safety.”

Monica: “I work in maintenance in a private company and have to work on the weekends as well, that means over R30 of bus fares to pay because tickets are R15 on the weekends. Those that are less fortunate in this country keeps suffering because can you imagine the burden that this puts on a person who takes more than two buses per day, back and forth. Meanwhile those high in the government with their large salaries keep on getting incentives although, mind you, we all make purchases in the same shops. Stop giving them these incentives and put this money in the public transport system which is indispensable for people like me who need it to travel to work. Annan en leker pour malere.”

Anonymous: “From my perspective, tourists have benefitted from the subsidised bus fares by the government for so many years. I believe that instead of imposing this rate on the people, they should make tourist pay R35 instead of paying the same R10 and R15 fares we pay. Maybe that will help the situation and it will also help the government in subsiding costs for those that are less fortunate, for the pensioners, for the school children…”

Esmee Jumeau: “My only question or comment is why would I pay R15 on a Saturday when I am obviously going to work? Should I pay more just because my working hours include Saturday also? But the whole week I have been paying 10! Seems a little farfetched and stupid. SPTC balanse!”

Stacy Marcopolo: “The bus service should be upgraded meaning better and comfortable, less noisy, less polluting buses which also cater to passengers in wheelchairs or mothers with prams before the prices are increased again. Provide good service first! Meanwhile we have a price increase with the same old service, how?”

Sabiana Mancienne: “I don't see why it'll be more expensive on weekends. And if you want to get everyone to use the bus card, make top up services available in more places. One in the south, north, east and west, as well as central.”

Jeremy Sadler: “[…]I say that employers should pay fully or partially for their employees to displace themselves to come to work, this could take the hit off a lot of lower income households. Several places do this and if this was shared across the public and private sector you would see the less fortunate not having to pay more. This would be an alternative to increasing salaries. The card incentive is good as I think many of the times cash flow can be an issue. If SPTC is able to have cash at hand that can help keep things manageable. Also I do think as someone who has used SPTC for 20 years that there are some routes and times that should have the private sector come in, as there has been inefficiency, now whether there are enough entrepreneurs/investors keen to do this I don't know. But I know I've happily paid R10 to get from Bel Ombre to town with Arwi Lontan mini bus.”

Paul Frichot: “The public should be encouraged to take the bus. The goal was to reduce transports on the road and this looks like the opposite. Right now it costs R700 or so for someone who takes two buses a day for a month. Does that fit in our financial structure we have currently? SPTC should look into investments to reduce their running costs for the future years to come. If this is turning into a business more than a means to help the people, step aside and let competitors in. It can’t have the best of both worlds.”

Melinda Milli Songwar: “Double the price is a huge increase for a very unreliable service. People are already struggling to make ends meet. The new government is not helping people at all.”

Vicky Seth: The price goes up but we still have the same […]old buses . What about people who are barely earning a decent pay? Those with children? Ki mannyer Seselwa ki pou soufer pour zot mismanagement? This is daylight robbery. From R7 to R12 and R15??? However salaries remain the same…”

Elis Racombo: “In my opinion, with the economy still not in good shape maybe an increase should be considered next year. I feel the government should be concentrating more on recovering absent funds that were supposed to be in the state coffers instead of putting more pressure on the low income bracket.”

 

Compiled by Elsie Pointe

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