•The Transport ministry said although Covid-19 cases are rising, there was a need to stop business losses in the sector.
•Mukabanah said they have lost Sh30 billion since the measures were introduced.
You will continue to dig deeper into your pockets to commute.
On Friday, the government allowed PSVs to carry full capacity. Passengers thought there might be fare relief.
"We will not reduce fare because fuel price went up the other day," Matatu Owners Association chairman Simon Kimutai said.
Kimutai said the sector did not factor in the hike in fuel prices when it increased fare to cover the reduced capacity.
He said they have been lobbying the government all along to have them carry full capacity.
Kimutai's sentiments were echoed by chairman of the Association of Bus Operators Edwin Mukabanah who told the Star on the phone that “fares in Kenya are subject to market forces of demand and supply.”
Mukabanah said fares had increased as a result of reduced carrying capacity.
“If you reduce carrying capacity, vehicles become less as they carry fewer passengers. We hope fare will naturally come down,” he said.
Mukabanah said the price of fuel has also made matters worse.
“Fare has increased due to fuel hike which has increased by 40 per in the last few months,” he said.
When asked if the government can intervene and control fare, Mukabanah said Kenya’s economy is liberalised.
Mukabanah said Kenya unlike Rwanda does not have a regulatory framework to do so.
He cited Rwanda where the state has all data of motor vehicles and the routes they operate and one ticketing system.
Mukabanah challenged the government to put more money into the sector in form of subsidies.
“Nobody is making serious money in the sector. Investors know there is no money and that is why it has been left to jua kali.”
Mukabanah said they have lost Sh30 billion since the measures were introduced.
On Friday, the Transport ministry said although Covid-19 cases are rising, there was a need to stop business losses in the transport sector.
“We will allow full capacity from Monday next week and any Sacco which will be found violating the protocols will have its license revoked,” Transport CAS Chris Obure said Friday afternoon after meeting matatu operators.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe introduced the 60 per cent rule on March 20 last year when there were only seven Covid-19 cases in the country.
Obure said President Uhuru had on March 12 this year directed that the old protocols that hurt the economy be reviewed.
He said they had agreed that Matatu operators will begin to strictly enforce protocols such as ensuring passengers wear masks properly.
All passengers must be screened for fever before they board and anyone coughing or with a temperature above 37.5 degrees will not be allowed on board.
Vehicles must also have windows open throughout the journey to allow proper air circulation.
Preaching and hawking in matatus has been banned.
Already, PSVs crew have welcomed the government's intervention.
Kiserian-Ongata Rongai Bus Service rout manager Jobenz Okeyaru said they are happy as there was no work hence no salary.
He said passengers were suffering as fare had been hiked.
Buruburu route 58 manager Boniface Rabai said the Covid-19 protocols had dealt the sector a major blow.
"With social distancing protocols, we used to ferry 23 but we can now carry 33 in a minibus," he said.
He said the small money they get will be used to cover fuel costs even if not 100 per cent.
Rabai said they will help enforce the other protocols. No one will be allowed in without a mask, he said.
He said some customers will not be happy now that they are carrying full capacity as they are used to social distance.
Some will not mind provided they reach home, he said.
By Monday, some PSVs were yet to carry full capacity as they were yet to approach their insurance agencies to change their terms.
Some that had removed some of the seats dashed to fix them.
Others have since shifted into the courier business.
The PSV saccos and companies have also been encouraged to adopt a cashless payment system.
Under the 60 per cent order, 14-seater matatus carried a maximum of eight passengers, while 25 seater buses had a maximum capacity of 15.
Local air transport and SGR were not affected by the reduction of passengers order.
Local air travel resumed on July 15 last year and international flights on August 1, 2020.
Edited by Henry Makori