Custom bus park in Juba, South Sudan. |Courtesy: Juba In the Making|.
Bus and truck transporters resolved to maintain initial transportation charges amidst sparking fuel and commodity prices caused by continued hyperinflation across the country.
As of Monday, July 22, 2024, fuel prices in Juba vary from one petrol station to another with a minimal price tag of 4,000 South Sudanese Pounds per liter or even more especially across the states.
This predicament hampers the movement of people as well as the transportation of goods and services within the country.
Jacob Lueth Achol, Chairman, South Sudan Federation of Bus and Transporters Union told this publication that, the union has resolved to work on loss for the sake of humanity, and they are not going to make an increment. Because they believe that citizens are suffering.
“Actually, this time we throw the ball on the transporters who are going to different states that, we are not going to increase the transport fare – not even with a single coin. We have been working on profit, but this time let’s work for loss. Because people are suffering and they don’t have money.”
“The travelers are our brothers, mothers, fathers, and uncles. So, let’s work for loss to support them this time, Achol said.
Mr. Achol clarified that the price maintenance they have adopted doesn’t apply to public taxis (muasalat) within Juba, but rather inter-state. Because muasalat are under the administration of the Juba City Council.
He appealed to the government to allocate a fuel station specifically for transporters to buy fuel at a relatively cheaper rate so as to continue delivering transportation services to the people.
“We urge the government to identify a petrol station that will be cheaper for only transporters so that we can arrange for transporters who are carrying passengers and goods to different states instead of people not to travel,” he stated.
South Sudan is facing an economic meltdown with the local currency (SSP) depreciating further today between 4,000 – 4,300 SSP per 1 US Dollar in the parallel market.
Attempts by the government to curb the economic recession are reasonably futile.
Charles Jamal Abugo, Chairman of Greater Equatoria Transport Association, expressed compassion towards the citizens for the unfavorable economic situation asserting that they are going to maintain the initial transport fare.
“I really feel pity for our citizens given the unfavorable economic situation that we are in. Currently on the ground, for instance, Yei to Juba, there are no passengers completely even if we maintain or increase the transport fare,” Abugo asserted.
Like his colleague, Mr. Abugo appeals to the government for the provision of subsidized fuel prices to transporters.
“My request is for the government to designate for us (transporters) a specific petrol station where we can buy fuel at a subsidized price,” Abugo appealed.
