Passengers travelling for Christmas were stranded at various bus stages in Nakuru Town following a hefty increase in bus fares.
The hiking of the bus fares was as a result of increment of the number of persons on Christmas holiday travelling to their rural homes.
Travellers accused Public Service Vehicle (PSV) owners of ‘sheer exploitation and disregard of passenger’s affairs'.
“Fare from Nakuru to Kitale is usually Sh 500 but today it is more than double the price. I came to Molo Stage at 6am with an intention of travelling to Kitale. I was shocked to learn that the fare is Sh 1,200,” said Mary Nafula, a stranded passenger at Molo bus terminus.
Jane Nyokabi who was destined for Ng'arua in Nyahururu decided to adjourn her journey and opted not to travel.
“We normally pay Sh 100 to Ng'arua but the fare is increased to Sh 200,” said Nyokabi.
However, operators defended the hike claiming that the return journey was a great loss. They added that people were not travelling back to towns making them hike fares to cater for the one way loss.
“People are going to rural areas but nobody is coming back to town. This has prompted us to increase the fares to 'balance' the to-and-fro journeys,” said James Kamau, PSV driver.
“The increase is justifiable because matatus need fuel on the return journey. From where do passengers expect us to get money for fuelling our vehicles if no one is carried during the return journey?” asked Martha Wangui, matatu operator in Molo.
Recently, the matatu industry has come under criticism for failure to reduce bus fare after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) reduced the price of fuel following a drop on the international market.