By Michael Kaluba
The Bus and Taxis Owners Association of Zambia-BTOAZ- has disclosed that transporters are facing up to 45 percent loss in business in the public passenger transport sector due to sustained economic challenges and the instability in fuel pricing.
Association National Spokesperson, Ammis Daudi cites the escalation in the cost of doing business triggered mostly by the unpredictable pricing of petroleum products and the exchange rate among other factors, which he says are having a negative effect on the importation of spares.
The association has since recommended that the government urgently develops a cushion to help the passenger transport sector survive within the prevailing economic conditions and allow for business to recover.
Mr. Daudi is however disappointment that despite the public passenger transport sector making submissions to the ministry of finance towards the 2023 national budget, they were not considered leaving stakeholders frustrated.
He further suggests that the Ministry of Transport and Logistics quickly initiates engagement with stakeholders to look into the challenges that the public passenger transport sector is facing.
CREDIT: PHOENIX NEWS
