Latra fines buses for higher fares

Dar es Salaam. The Land Regulatory Authority (Latra) is taking action against upcountry buses that have already increased passenger fares unnecessarily this festive season.

Among other actions, Latra yesterday ordered some buses to pay a fine of Sh250, 000 and to return the increased fares to passengers. Some of the buses that were fined included Simiyu express, Capricon, Mold and Nazareth Company.

Latra’s Director General Mr Habibu Suluo directed bus agents to return the fares and charge according to the set fees as written on the e-tickets.

“Agents tend to increase the fares especially when they realize that there’s a high number of travelers. This is a mistake. I have made an inspection and many vehicles have charged fares different from the indicative one on the ticket,” he said.

“Latra advises passengers not to pay different fares from what is advertised on the ticket. They should use the existing online system to book tickets themselves as the system shows a list of buses with indicative fees.”

Buses like Nazareth Company that operate from Dar es Salaam to Iringa were found to have charged passengers Sh35,000 instead of Sh28,000.

One of the passengers who spoke to The Citizen, Ms Veronica Benjamin explained, “Due to the influx of passengers, they have increased the fare because they know we have to travel…,” she said.