Public Service Vehicle (PSV) owners are reaping big this Christmas seasons as Kenyans travel en masse to upcountry for Christmas festivities.
As of Saturday morning, bus fares for most upcountry destinations had increased by more than 100 percent.
Those traveling to Bungoma from Nairobi are paying between 1,800 and 2,000 shillings, up from between 800 and 1,000 shillings.
Those traveling to Kakamega are paying between 2,000 and 2,200 shillings, up from between 1,000 and 1,200 shillings.
Those traveling to Kisumu are paying between 1,700 and 2,000 shillings up from 1,000 shillings. Those going to Busia are paying between 2,000 and 2,200 shillings.
“By Monday 23rd, the prices are likely to hit 2,500 shillings for those traveling to Western Kenya,” said one attendant at Western Coach Express.
Those traveling from Mombasa to Western Kenya are paying between 3,000 and 3,500 shillings with the price expected to hit 4,000 shillings come Monday.
Thousands of Kenyans, especially those living in Nairobi often travel in masses to their rural homes for Christmas festivities leading to high demand for transport services.
The hiking in bus fares comes even as the prices of fuel were reduced during this people. This means PSV owners are making a killing this festive season.
The fares are expected to be even higher come January 2020 as students will be going back to school and many people will be traveling back to their workplaces.