By Daily Revelation Editor
The Bus and Taxi Association of Zambia last week argued that commuters may not benefit from a fare reduction in this month’s fuel pump prices.
That position was supported by the Commuter Rights Association of Zambia (CRAZ) who indicated caution about adjusting fares based on a single fuel drop.
This is despite the reduction of the petrol price for the month of May by 8.12 percent for petrol from K34.98 to K32.14, and 9.43 percent for diesel, from K30.23 to K27.38.
We note that the argument is not different from the one advanced by the same Bus and Taxi Association during another downward price adjustment for the month of January 2025, when the price for petrol was reduced from K33.47 to K32.70 and diesel from K30.05 to K28.90.
The excuse then was that the association would only reduce the price of bus fares if the reduction of fuel hit K2. Well, we wonder what has happened this time around because the reduction has not only hit K2, but K2.84 actually.
There are all sorts of arguments that are advanced against generally reducing prices when the conditions are favourable, or when conditions arise for consumers to benefit. The arguments advanced by the Bus and Taxis Association are almost non-existent in times when fuel prices have gone up, as the same association instantly starts putting in place measures and arguments to immediately hike the prices. It has even become psychologically ingrained in consumers to expect price hikes, not only in bus fares but other commodities the very instance there is a price hike in fuel.
However, the same is almost non-existent in times of price adjustments where all sorts of arguments are put forward justifying why the fares should be maintained, and usually the status quo stands, unless in a very few instances when public demand has been brought to bear. Living under such an environment as ours, requires strong consumer protection in places, which isn’t as strong in this country unfortunately. We have organisations that deal specifically with consumerism, but just after one or two statements mainly prompted by the media, they go quiet again as the status quo remains.
But the government which is supposed to be the main consumer protector must become very active, especially in times of injustices. Besides that, it is in their own interest to ensure that they participate actively in every facet to proactive work towards reduction in the cost of things in the country. They cannot for instance fold their arms and watch in reckless abandon, bus owners insist on maintaining the high prices, even when they have acted on reducing the fuel prices. They need to act for the consumers’ interests. Or is the government also dwelling in uncertainty, as CRAZ is, that the reduced prices may not hold for long, which is actually more injurious to the economy as the same breeds more uncertainty in the economy?
We believe that the government must at all times provide stability in the country. If they believe that these new reduced prices will hold for long, then let them also be forceful enough to demand that the consumers get a just reward from the reduced prices, including on the bus fares and other commodities.
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By Daily Revelation Editor
The Bus and Taxi Association of Zambia last week argued that commuters may not benefit from a fare reduction in this month’s fuel pump prices.
That position was supported by the Commuter Rights Association of Zambia (CRAZ) who indicated caution about adjusting fares based on a single fuel drop.
This is despite the reduction of the petrol price for the month of May by 8.12 percent for petrol from K34.98 to K32.14, and 9.43 percent for diesel, from K30.23 to K27.38.
We note that the argument is not different from the one advanced by the same Bus and Taxi Association during another downward price adjustment for the month of January 2025, when the price for petrol was reduced from K33.47 to K32.70 and diesel from K30.05 to K28.90.
The excuse then was that the association would only reduce the price of bus fares if the reduction of fuel hit K2. Well, we wonder what has happened this time around because the reduction has not only hit K2, but K2.84 actually.
There are all sorts of arguments that are advanced against generally reducing prices when the conditions are favourable, or when conditions arise for consumers to benefit. The arguments advanced by the Bus and Taxis Association are almost non-existent in times when fuel prices have gone up, as the same association instantly starts putting in place measures and arguments to immediately hike the prices. It has even become psychologically ingrained in consumers to expect price hikes, not only in bus fares but other commodities the very instance there is a price hike in fuel.
However, the same is almost non-existent in times of price adjustments where all sorts of arguments are put forward justifying why the fares should be maintained, and usually the status quo stands, unless in a very few instances when public demand has been brought to bear. Living under such an environment as ours, requires strong consumer protection in places, which isn’t as strong in this country unfortunately. We have organisations that deal specifically with consumerism, but just after one or two statements mainly prompted by the media, they go quiet again as the status quo remains.
But the government which is supposed to be the main consumer protector must become very active, especially in times of injustices. Besides that, it is in their own interest to ensure that they participate actively in every facet to proactive work towards reduction in the cost of things in the country. They cannot for instance fold their arms and watch in reckless abandon, bus owners insist on maintaining the high prices, even when they have acted on reducing the fuel prices. They need to act for the consumers’ interests. Or is the government also dwelling in uncertainty, as CRAZ is, that the reduced prices may not hold for long, which is actually more injurious to the economy as the same breeds more uncertainty in the economy?
We believe that the government must at all times provide stability in the country. If they believe that these new reduced prices will hold for long, then let them also be forceful enough to demand that the consumers get a just reward from the reduced prices, including on the bus fares and other commodities.
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