A joint statement by the Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, issued a warning to minibus operators and other transporters, against charging exorbitant fares amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

The warning follows as fares have spiked by a range of 40 to 200%, despite the downward review of fuel prices last month. CFTC Executive Director, James Kaphale has warned that bus operators are in serious breach of section 43 of the Competition and Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Protection Act.

Enforcing compliance, the joint statement says that from Monday 16th June 2020, there will be enhanced joint Enforcement and Surveillance activities on all routes to be carried out by the Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS) and the Competition and Fair Trading Commission.

Since the first of April this year, minibuses lowered their passenger intake to 60% as a directive by the ministry of transport, aimed at lowering the spread of coronavirus through social distancing. Following the development, minibus owners hiked fares amid hiked fuel prices, as the latter lowered while the former remained constant.