Commercial drivers have warned of a 20% fare increase if the government fails to reduce fuel prices latest by 8 June 2020.

According to the True Drivers Union and the National Concerned Drivers Association, their members, in adhering to the social-distancing directives to aid the fight against COVID-19 agreed to cut down the number of passengers in their trotros and taxis.

“The price of crude oil dropped drastically but the government refused to reduce fuel prices. This attitude of the government has shown how they disregard drivers in the country,” the two groups said in a joint statement.  

The drivers say they feel neglected by the state because the government provided monetary support to cushion small-scale and medium enterprises but left them out.

They have complained that fuel prices are always being increased but the authorities have refused to allow them to increase their fares, a situation they described as “unfair.”

“We are giving the government up to June 8 to reduce the fuel prices or we will automatically increase our fares by 20% and any hindrance will cause a massive demonstration by drivers across the country,” the statement said.