MBOMBELA – Buscor prices will increase on April 1 and commuters are not very happy about it.
They are complaining that the increases are not justified by the service rendered. Mpumalanga News took to the streets to talk to the frustrated commuters.
“What Buscor is doing to us as commuters is outrageous and they should be ashamed of themselves. This increase is way too much.
“They receive subsidy from the government, but we are still feeling the strain. We had to endure unfair increases last year as well. Last year was too much also, this is now daylight robbery,” said Mr Douglas Magongo.
An even unhappier Mr Anthony Mathonsi weighed in on the matter and said the service provider’s prices were far from justifiable.
“I catch the bus to Edwaleni every day. The frustrations are rife and the most disturbing thing is that we have reported it to the company several times and they just ignore us.
“People are collected from their respective stations, but those who knock off late are dropped off at the police station because the bus changes routes.
Many people have been robbed and now the police have to drop them at their homes, as a result some people get home around 04:00.
Thereafter, they want to come talk to us about price hikes, let them fix their faults first, and then we can talk,” said Mathonsi.
Ms Zandile Khoza said Buscor was abusing the fact that they had monopolised the industry, thus they did as they pleased.
“They have no competition, if you want to use the bus system in the Lowveld, you have to use Buscor. It’s an all-or-nothing kind of situation.”
“Buscor defines the whole system, so we basically go by their rules. Let them bask in their glory while it still lasts, I do hope we get them competition so they can catch a wake up,” said Ms Pretty Khoza.
“I travel from Matsulu every day, this not fair at all on us. We are now working for the transport fare because while it increases, the salaries remain the same. Times are tough and Buscor makes sure that we feel it,” said Zandile.
Buscor CEO, Ms Norah Fakude has justified the hikes, saying they were prompted by the rise in fuel and some of the parts which they import from other countries.
“The average raise from fuel was 28 per cent, and the tyres with vehicle parts have been increased. We strive to give the best service to our clients.
The buses need to be serviced, the tyres need to be changed frequently, and our drivers need to be trained.” said Fakude.
She called on the commuters to report their frustrations to the company and pledged that the Edwaleni issue would be looked into.
“I’m not sure about the legitimacy of the matter, but I will have my operations looking into it. I urge the commuters to report any frustrations on our social media or call our Mr Vuyani Ndlovu on 013-754-6245.
We want nothing but the best for our clients,” she added.
