Kibaha. The Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra) has warned bus operators against raising fares without approval, amid rising fuel prices across the country.
Latra Director General Habibu Suluo said operators must follow established procedures before adjusting fares, stressing that unauthorised increases would place an unfair burden on passengers.
“Petrol and diesel prices have climbed in Dar es Salaam, with even higher increases in upcountry regions. Some operators have already raised fares without approval. Any adjustments must comply with regulations,” he said.
Rising fuel costs are affecting urban commuter buses, known as daladala, as well as long-distance and cross-border services. Mr Suluo linked the surge to geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Iran and Israel, which have disrupted global oil markets.
He noted that the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura), which oversees fuel prices, had anticipated adjustments but the increases exceeded expectations.
Latra will hold a public stakeholders’ meeting in Dar es Salaam on April 8, 2026, also streamed online for broader participation.
Under current regulations, operators seeking fare changes must submit evidence showing their return on investment has fallen below 10 per cent over a set period. Latra will review these submissions alongside feedback from commuters and other stakeholders before approving any changes.
Even if new fares are approved, they will take effect only after publication in the Government Gazette and a 14-day waiting period.
Mr Suluo urged operators to remain calm and reassured passengers that Latra aims to balance service sustainability with protection against sudden fare increases.
The meeting’s outcome will determine whether higher fares could be implemented nationwide if fuel price pressures persist.
Latra’s warning comes shortly after the Ewura adjusted fuel prices to record levels that will see motorists and other fuel consumers in Tanzania paying around Sh1,000 more for a litre of petrol, starting Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Ewura has revised cap prices for April 2026 in response to rising global prices precipitated by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
According to a public notice issued on Wednesday by Ewura, the latest adjustments reflect sustained pressure in global oil markets,
The latest review shows that a litre of petrol will retail at Sh3,820 in April 2026, up from Sh2,864 in March—an increase of 33.4 percent. Diesel has risen to Sh3,806 per litre from Sh2,858, while kerosene now costs Sh3,684, up from Sh2,932.
