Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA has directed transport operators in the country not to arbitrarily increase fares during the current transition period, following a rise in fuel prices, while urging them to adhere to established legal procedures as the authority continues to monitor operational costs.
The authority has also provided a seven-day window to convene a stakeholders’ meeting aimed at reviewing areas that may require fare adjustments, if deemed necessary.
The move comes a day after the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) announced an increase in fuel prices by more than 900/- per litre from 2864 to 3820.
The sharp rise in fuel prices has been linked to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Speaking yesterday during press briefing in Kibaha , Coast Region, LATRA Director General, Habibu Suluo, said the authority has received complaints from members of the public over some service providers increasing fares without approval, contrary to laid down procedures.
“We cannot allow fare adjustments to be implemented outside the legal framework,” he stressed.
He noted that the authority has scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting on April 8 this year to deliberate on the matter.
According to him, the meeting will bring together service providers, consumers and other key stakeholders, and will also be broadcast live to enable wider participation, including those unable to attend physically.
“Any fare review will be conducted in line with existing regulations, including an assessment of return on investment, which should remain below 10 percent within a period of not less than three years,” he said.
He further called on service providers with concerns over rising operational costs to submit supporting documents to justify their claims for consideration in accordance with the law.
Mr Suluo stressed that until an official decision is reached, no operator is permitted to increase fares, warning that any violation will attract legal action.
LATRA has also urged all stakeholders to actively participate in the upcoming meeting and submit their proposals on time to ensure a balanced outcome that considers the interests of all parties.
He added that the authority reserves the right to use its own data to make fare determinations should operators fail to submit the required information as stipulated under LATRA regulations
