People in
Tanzania are bracing for more labour strife and transport problems.
The Tanzania
Bus Owners Association (TABOA) has threatened to suspend upcountry services for
an entire week starting Friday.
The
anticipated strike is in protest of what the owners call ‘too low fares’.
 |
| Soldiers were deployed in in the Ubungo area Dar es Salaam earlier in April after a transport strike |
TABOA Secretary
General Enea Mrutu says the new fare pricing was approved when fuel prices were
lower but maintains that prices are up again, which means fares should not be
lowered at this time.
The new
fares were adopted by the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA)
and made bus fares reflect the global fall of oil prices.
According to
a statement released by SUMATRA, the new lowered fares will come to effect on
April 30.
Several
weeks ago a transport strike in Dar es Salaam turned ugly as thousands of
stranded passengers clashed with security forces who fired tear gas to disperse
mobs of angry people.