As all of us know, the price of Mauritian transport will be increased by 20% as from Monday 13 December 2010. For more details about the increase you can check out the following site: Transport Fees Increase in Mauritius As from 13 December 2010.
Alright, first question we ask, why the government had to increase the price of transport? I was listening to the radio earlier today and the Minister of Transport Mr. Anil Baichoo gave the following reason for the increase (Well the voice was quite a serious one as if he was saying that with great regret):
“The price of transport is being increased because the owners of the bus companies have been asking for an increase in the transport fees from quite a long time”.
Wow, is that actually a reason??? :S I really don’t see any logic behind that…
If I am not mistaken, last time, the price of the Mauritian Transport Fee was increased well before the steep decrease in the price of petrol (STC, Hedging, you remember???). Till then, the main reason of the increase in prices was always: “Prix l’essence ine monter” and when the price of petrol drastically fell, there was no decrease in the transport fees at all.. why? And why do they need an increase in transport fees today?
There is also one thing I noticed that might be linked:
Abolition of Automatic Pricing MechanismUPDATE: The price of petrol will now be calculated each three months (thanks to carrotmadman6 for that correction)- Increase in bus fare
- And I guess the price of petrol has changed or will be soon changed soon. This will be chaired by the head of Central Statistics instead of STC. And I guess this will be an increase in the price of petrol.
Personally I found the APM really practical to calculate the price of the petrol every month. I wonder why they had to remove that. This eventually means that the probability for us to enjoy the decrease in the price of petrol has decreased, if you know what I mean 
I feel that all these are related, they simply wanted to take control of the economy since they were not getting enough “profit” on our heads when using the APM every month. The APM being run every 3 months will result in a price increase most of the time.
Don’t you guys think we need full transparency about what is happening in the government and be entitled to valid explanations of whatever is happening? And not such kind of loose explanations?
Maybe they think we are stupid and we don’t understand anything… Oh hell, this is where our paradise seems to be heading towards… Politicians, I guess they are all out there to fill there pockets by emptying ours… 
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16 comments
carrotmadman6
December 11, 2010 at 5:03 pm (UTC 4) Link to this comment
APM hasn't been abolished. They "fix" the prices every 3 months now…
My recent post Cheated by Orange Mauritius
Pramod
December 11, 2010 at 6:46 pm (UTC 4) Link to this comment
Thanks for that! I will rectify it right now…
vicks
December 11, 2010 at 10:03 pm (UTC 4) Link to this comment
Hmm.. dire zotte pas geutte jatti voT
ine ler pou trap sa bannes gros palto la bez zotte coups pieds dans F 
Pramod
December 11, 2010 at 10:32 pm (UTC 4) Link to this comment
Haha! Sometimes even I feel like doing that :p
yashvin
December 12, 2010 at 7:11 am (UTC 4) Link to this comment
Well, we must see things from 2 different perspectives :
1. From that of bus workers.
Everyone wants an increase of salary. The last review of bus fares has been done years ago, so this probably means that they did not get any increase since then. An increase in the bus fares will allow bus operators to get more income (unfortunately, we will be paying it) and hence, improved salary and perhaps better buses or condition of buses.
Do you realise that drivers and "controllers" will probably be able to offer themselves a better condition of living, even if their salary is increased by Rs100/Rs200?
2. From that of bus users
I agree that this increase in the bus fare will be much more impacting on the monthly budget.
But for MOST of the people working out there, this bus fare is actually paid by the employers. So, this money is not directly cut from the worker's purse. An increase in bus fare would probably mean that employers will need to review the transport allowance.
This said, the increase will perhaps encourage more people to travel by their own car and do some car pooling.
And finally, bus operators are not the one to be blamed for asking a revised bus fare. Pravind' budget has had a devastating "avalanche effect". "Effet boule de neige" might be too weak to describe the situation prevailing since the budget : Practically everything has seen a rise in price.
Pramod
December 12, 2010 at 7:36 am (UTC 4) Link to this comment
For the bus workers, it was not necessary for the company to increase transport fee… they could have increased their wages from the company's profits itself.
And as a bus user, I guess even I will start using the car more often… Mais mo imper paresse pou roule dans sa circulation gramatin la… :p
Vidhish
December 12, 2010 at 7:50 am (UTC 4) Link to this comment
Bus owners r already gaining loads from the free transport stuff. if im na mistaken 30k is way too much, esp if u add the additional revenue by paying segment.
Guess what? I believe its paying for the HUGE debt/losses of CNT which is grossly mismanaged. I know ppl who have buses, n they've been doing pretty good business, ever since the free transport stuff was introduced. Was a couple of months back that the national transport corp announced its huge losses. who will pay for that? Well, ticket fare increase! Damn it
But then, remember there were recent polls about alternative methods of transport? Some ppl said they wouldnt b ready to spend Rs100 daily on a return ticket, while bus fares would be twice less. The increase will all but make the alternative method look more attractive!
What the government fails to grasp is that making the bus fares more costly, without improving the conditions, makes many of the younger professionals seek to purchase their own cars, n make regular use. I was unmoved about the price rise(after all i have a travel allowance for that). I was reluctant to use a car(saving my travel allowance for later). COSTLY CHEAP quality bus service all but makes me plan to buy my car, n i believe, others would follow suit. Mistake coz this would only contribute to worsening the traffic jam problem.
Bus transport should have been for the masses, cheap, n efficient. Its just too bad that political nominees with lack of dedication or knowledge are appointed everywhere through this country! Economic decision making n politics IS CLEARLY not within the scope of understanding of some of the "bright sparks" currently holding the reigns of this country.
Pramod
December 12, 2010 at 10:13 am (UTC 4) Link to this comment
LOL pou moi astr sa transport allowance mo gagner la pas pou aC… my daily transport expenditure will now be approximately Rs. 130… :S
So monthly it will be around Rs2600
As for alternative transport methods, there are solutions like the metro system. But the price of travelling in the metro will be high since they would like to get a faster return on investment… Eventually people prefer to use the bus even if it's of poor quality service and it does contribute to traffic congestion on this bad road network…
selven
December 12, 2010 at 9:10 am (UTC 4) Link to this comment
Nicely written post pramod!
In 2010 we all talk about transparancy, but nothing is being done, a system where all government related documents be kept online available for the eyes of everybody should be set up.
What kind of reasons can "akoz zot in demandE" be :s .
Mauritius, c'est pas un plaisir, Mauritius c'est une paradoxe!
Laws, amendments, systems are made which serves practically no purpose and / or makes no sense.
I think all geeks should get into politics!
+selven
selven
December 12, 2010 at 9:21 am (UTC 4) Link to this comment
Nicely written post pramod!
In 2010 we all talk about transparancy, but nothing is being done, a system where all government related documents be kept online available for the eyes of everybody should be set up.
What kind of reasons can "akoz zot in demandE" be :s .
Mauritius, c'est pas un plaisir, Mauritius c'est une paradoxe!
Laws, amendments, systems are made which serves practically no purpose and / or makes no sense.
I think all geeks should get into politics!
+selven
My recent post Try out heimdal
Pramod
December 12, 2010 at 10:15 am (UTC 4) Link to this comment
LOL… Si Geeks prend charge pays la ena ene tas dimounes capave perdi travaille acause AUTOMATION!!! :p
I guess those who blog and have a lot of interest in the welfare of the country should get into politics…
Tushal
December 12, 2010 at 11:04 am (UTC 4) Link to this comment
Just my few words. Yashvin, I disagree with you. And I give you the reasons why.
I know many bus owners in my region and often they talk about their massive profits they make.
For the free transport, they get Rs35,000 per month per bus.
Let me tell you what 2 bus owners told me.
Taking out the free transport money per month, they work for xxx amount of money. In that xxx amount, they take out their fuel cost, running cost, salaries of their employees, basic living expenses and they still make a profit. The Rs35,000 is UNTOUCHED.
Now increasing the bus fare. Well, I for one wouldn't mind an increase but a 20% increase? The adult tariff from my place to PL is Rs26. With the increase this has become Rs32. Can you imagine? Rs32 just to go to PL? I know many people who will know use their cars more instead of travelling by bus.
Secondly, having an increase and getting BETTER travel condition. I would voted yes. But most of those buses are freaking dirty, noisy, uncomfortable and some are EPIC old and most of them goes dangerously on the road.
Increase in bus fare to travel in dirty, old and uncomfortable buses? NO, MR Baichoo. And we all know how Mr Baichoo loves Taxi owners and bus owners.
Pramod
December 12, 2010 at 4:10 pm (UTC 4) Link to this comment
Hey you have also forgotten how we might be greeted by some of the bus conductors as well… especially early in the morning if they have drunk a lot the night before or fought with their wives before coming to work… :p
Nayar
December 12, 2010 at 11:37 am (UTC 4) Link to this comment
Very nice post
<quote>“The price of transport is being increased because the owners of the bus companies have been asking for an increase in the transport fees from quite a long time”.</quote>
What a stupid answer!
Is this type of ministers we have? Aren't they supposed to take decisions for the welfare of the country in general? Why do they have to "obey" to big companies?<del>(because it is they who finance the electoral campaigns)</del>
You might force me to believe "The sky is not blue but red". However, i will never ever believe the crap that bus owners ever happen to make losses.
My recent post Orange Mauritius- Cheaters
Pramod
December 12, 2010 at 4:11 pm (UTC 4) Link to this comment
Yeah you are right, most of the bus companies are official agents of the politicians…
Jaye Lejman
March 31, 2012 at 1:06 am (UTC 4) Link to this comment
Hi, just wanted to mention, I loved this post. It was inspiring. Keep on posting!