Minibus fares up as fuel shortage hits hard

Fuel scarcity that has hit most parts of Malawi have forced many transporters in north, especially minibuses, to hike fares without consulting transporters in the region.

Mzuzu city has stayed dry for the past four days amid rumours that the shortage is because pump stations hoarding the current stock in anticipation of a pending increase.

A snap survey by the media in Mzuzu bus terminal on Monday that bus fares were up by over 50 %.

One minibus driver said they have hiked the fares because they are buying the fuel from the black market where the prices are equally high.

But Minibus Owners Association of Malawi, Head of Operations in the region Mr. David Mwale said the hikes are illegal because they have not been endorsed by the association.

” We will make a follow-up as an association that would ensure the transporters do not hike bus fares just to victimise Malawians,” said Mr. Mwale.

Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority MERA last Saturday issued a statement that the country has secured 10 million liters of fuel which may last the next ten days.