CEASAR MBEWE writes
@SunZambia
The Private Sector and Development Association (PSDA) has called for competition among the public bus operators to allow customers have a variety of options.
PSDA chairperson Yusuf DodIa has challenged the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to intervene in the matter and protect customers.
Mr Dodia explained that competition among the bus operators would benefit customers particularly in times when fuel prices were reduced.
He further explained in an interview with The Sun that uniform bus fares were disadvantaging customers.
Each time fuel was hiked, Mr Dodia said, the Bus and Taxi Owners Association were the first ones to increase the fares but had challenges in reducing it.
“Fuel prices have been reduced but the bus fares are still the same and the style of pricing is uniform which means there is no competition. I therefore challenge the CCPC to take a step and find out why bus fares are uniform,” he said.
Mr Dodia said it was disappointing to see CCPC only being more active when it came to protecting consumers on food prices.
He said CCPC was not just there to protect the unfair pricing but also to make sure there was competition in every economic sector.
“CCPC has been active in making sure goods like food and school uniforms are on a price that consumers can afford and competition is there but when it came to bus fares they were reluctant. For example if one bus owner is charging K10 to Chelstone another one should be able to charge K9 then there is competition not just same price for every bus owner,” he said.
