Keith Jeketera
Gender and Community reporter
Residents of Cowdray Park suburb are up in arms over what they describe as exorbitant commuter omnibus fares, with drivers demanding 15 rand per trip.
According to Mandla, a kombi driver, the current fare structure is unfair, citing that drivers charge 10 rand for shorter distances, such as to Entumbane, but expect Cowdray Park residents to pay more due to the longer distance.
“The distance is not the same, so people who live in Cowdray Park should pay more. It’s only fair,” Mandla said.
However, he lamented the challenges faced by kombi operators, including frequent roadblocks by police within the suburb, who demand 12 US dollars per day from drivers.
“We are being squeezed from all sides. The police are demanding money, and now the residents are complaining about the fares. Where are we supposed to get our profits?” Mandla asked.
The residents, on the other hand, are not taking the fare hikes lying down. Many are complaining about the burden of paying 15 rand per trip, with some questioning where the kombi operators think they will get the money from.
“Where do they think we get the money from? The fare cannot be elevated from 10 rand. It’s too much,” one resident said.
The standoff has left many wondering who is to blame for the stalemate. Is it the kombi operators, the police, or the citizens? One thing is certain – the situation is unsustainable and needs to be addressed urgently.
As the debate rages on, residents are calling for a more reasonable and fair fare structure that takes into account the economic realities of the community. Until then, the impasse is likely to continue, leaving both drivers and passengers frustrated.
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