Authorities in northern Burundi intervened on Monday in a case of non-compliance with official transport fares, diverting a public bus with passengers to a police station in Ngozi Province. The incident highlights growing tensions over inflated transport costs, frustrating travelers and putting operators at odds with government regulations.
Passengers reported paying 20,000 Burundian Francs (BIF) each for the journey from Bujumbura, the economic capital, to Ngozi Province—well above the official fare of 12,500 BIF. ‘We boarded without tickets and paid the inflated fare,’ one traveler explained. Upon reaching the police station in Burengo, officers requested the tickets, but none were available. Authorities stopped the bus, diverted it to the Ngozi police station, and fined the operator 500,000 BIF, according to passengers, who were then asked to provide their Lumicash details for a reimbursement.
Transport fares across Burundi have reportedly tripled in December, particularly on routes from Bujumbura to interior regions. Operators attribute the increases to rising vehicle prices, fuel costs, and operational challenges.
“A car now costs 52 million BIF in Burundi. Driving from Bujumbura to Gitega alone requires 80,000 BIF in fuel. With only four passengers paying 38,000 BIF each, the official fare isn’t viable,” one driver told Jimbere, a local magazine. Operators argue that without systemic solutions, enforcing official fare limits creates conflicts with passengers.
Passengers have also voiced concerns over ticket scalping, where tickets purchased at official rates early in the morning are resold at inflated prices. They urge the government to implement stricter oversight to ensure compliance with state-mandated fares.
Motorcycle taxi users and travelers in the southern provinces voiced similar complaints, accusing drivers of arbitrary pricing and exceeding passenger limits, despite the availability of fuel at service stations, as reported by the Burundian Press Agency (ABP)
In response, Inspector General of the National Police, Joseph Ninteretse, directed regional commissioners last week to crack down on violators inflating transport prices. He demanded daily reports and warned of penalties for non-compliance.
“The official prices must be enforced immediately. Any failure to adhere to this directive will be met with legal consequences,” Ninteretse emphasized.
The crackdown comes amid heightened demand for transportation during the festive season, exacerbating tensions between operators and passengers.
As transport costs continue to strain Burundians, both passengers and operators are calling for sustainable solutions. “Reducing taxes, stabilizing the currency, and ensuring consistent fuel supply could ease the burden for everyone,” a driver suggested.
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