By Dibaco Sabri
Boda boda riders in Yambio are raising transport fares as soaring fuel prices continue to squeeze their earnings and increase the cost of living for residents who depend on motorcycles for daily transport.
Riders say the continuous rise in fuel prices has made it difficult to maintain previous fare levels, forcing many operators to raise fares to stay in business.
Speaking to No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, the head of the Boda Boda Pazuo Park, John Luka, said riders are struggling to cope with the rising operational costs.
“We are struggling to make ends meet. The price of fuel keeps going up, and we have no choice but to increase our fares,” Luka said.
Another rider, Mborigie Ama, said the economic pressure is affecting both transport operators and passengers alike.
“I love my job, but with the high fuel prices, I can’t sustain it at the old rates,” Ama explained. “Everyone is feeling the pressure, and it’s making it difficult for people to afford daily transport.”
The fare hikes are also drawing concern from commuters, many of whom rely on boda bodas every day to travel to work, markets, and schools.
Peter Otim, a resident of Yambio, said the increased transport costs are adding to the financial hardships already facing ordinary citizens.
“I use boda bodas every day to get to work, and now I have to pay more for the same distance,” he said. “It’s frustrating because we are all dealing with tough economic times, and this just makes it worse.”
Another commuter, Maria Emmanuel, warned that the rise in transport costs could trigger increases in the prices of basic goods and services.
“It’s not just the fare increase; it’s affecting all of us,” she said. “When transport costs go up, it means everything gets more expensive, from groceries to school supplies. The government needs to do something about fuel prices.”
As fuel prices continue to climb, both riders and residents in Yambio are appealing to authorities to intervene and stabilise costs before the situation places an even heavier burden on struggling households.