Senegalese transport union urges members not to raise fares despite fuel price hike
Gora Khouma, president of the Union of Road Hauliers of Senegal, has called on transporters not to increase transport fares following the recent rise in fuel prices. Khouma described the fuel price increase as "bad news" but acknowledged the impact of tensions in the Gulf on global oil prices. He noted that the price per barrel, which was initially projected at $64, reached $88 in early August. Despite this, Khouma believes Senegalese households cannot bear additional financial burdens and urged transporters not to pass on the fuel cost increase to consumers. He stated, "The populations cannot keep up with this pace. We, road transport actors, will not respond to this increase by raising transport prices. We will not do it." This stance aims to reassure users of yellow taxis, rapid cars, and Ndiaga Ndiaye, but it presents a significant challenge for transporters to absorb increased operating costs while maintaining affordable fares for the public.
