Matatu owners have protested a move by the Government seeking to control fares charged by Public Service Vehicles across the country.
On Tuesday, the ministry of transport drafted amendments to the Traffic Act and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) with an aim of introducing a regulation capping fare tariffs charged by matatus.
But Matatu Owners Association (M.O.A) chairman Simon Kimutai yesterday opposed the move saying that it was malicious and the matatu operators would not allow for the implementation of the regulations.\
Kimutai refuted claims that Matatu operators were exploiting commuters as alleged by Transport CS James Macharia, saying that the pricing of fares on different routes was dictated by supply and demand forces.
He also highlighted that the matatu owners, who will be most affected by change of regulations, had not been consulted, accusing the Government of jumping the gun.
“At one time, the government liberalized the economy of this country and price controls were thrown out. We do not know the reason behind the re-introduction of the price controls but I sense mischief,” he said, adding that they would only accept price adjustments upwards.
The chairman faulted the transport ministry for not offering subsidies to matatu operators saying that the sector was currently making losses and that only support from the government would help salvage the sector.
“If we are making losses and you reduce the prices then the sector will collapse rendering most people jobless. The move to reduce prices is not welcome at all,” he added.
Mr. Kimutai however stated that the PSV industry was self-regulating to ensure that there was no extortion of commuters by operators. He observed that he had directed that all PSVs should indicate a price chart of fares charged during both peak and off-peak hours.Kimutai also said that he would implore PSV operators not to exaggerate fares especially when it rains.