Bus Fares to Increase by 20% from Monday Due to Costly Fuel

Due to a fuel hike, Kenyans using Public Service Vehicles will have to pay more from Monday, June 20. The move follows last week’s fuel review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which saw prices of Super Petrol, Diesel, and Kerosene up by 9 shillings per liter.

PSV operators and The Federation of Public Transport Sector noted that the move will affect all the routes countrywide.

“The federation hereby resolves that with effect from Monday, June 20, 2022, fares payable on public transport vehicles countrywide shall be adjusted upwards by 20 percent,” lobby chairman Edwins Mukabanah said.

Several routes in Nairobi will increase fares by between 20 and 50 shillings.

Last week the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) increased fuel prices by 9 shillings per liter, pushing the cost of Super Petrol, Diesel, and Kerosene to 159.12, 140, and 127 shillings, respectively in Nairobi.

ALSO READ: Key Themes That Shaped The Banking Sector Performance In Q1’2022

The price is even more likely to surge if the national Treasury removes the subsidy, covering 25.56 shillings for super petrol, 48.19 shillings for diesel, and 42.43 shillings for kerosene. This will see the cost of the aforementioned commodities hit 184.68 shillings per liter, 188.19 shillings, and 170 shillings, respectively.

The pressure will hit Kenyans who are already struggling with the high cost of living as manufacturers and transporters pass the surging fuel cost to consumers.

The high cost of living is no longer a tale in Kenya as common goods continue to record an upward pressure. This means Kenyans must dig deeper into their pockets to at least get the basics. It also means that various households will have to ditch their usual meals and get what is affordable.

For instance, maize flour prices have more than doubled, with a two-kilogram packet going for 200 shillings up from 85 shillings barely two months ago. Millers hiked the flour prices due to a biting maize shortage in local and regional markets.

This comes at a time when more than three million Kenyans are staring at starvation due to drought and declined crop and livestock production. Millers also warned that the flour prices might continue their upward trend.