The Association des consommateurs de l?île Maurice (ACIM) would appreciate for the sake of transparency that the rationale for the last increase in bus fares be made public. Please note that in the past, there had been public hearings with respect to any requests for tariff increases.

ACIM also urgently requests that the Authority repeals the regulations which were amended to allow for tariff liberalisation on public air-conditioning service. Please note that the rationale for allowing tariff liberalisation for air-conditioned service could in fact be the underpinning to request for widespread tariff liberilisation for service improvement.

As you are aware, the air-conditioning service of the CNT, Blue Line, was at Rs 24 prior to the last increase, whilst normal fare was at Rs 21. That was Rs 3 above normal fare. As at now this same service are being offered at Rs 31. That is Rs 5 above current fare.

Information gathered at our end with UBS indicates that UBS has so far applied Rs 3 increase on its air-conditioning service. However it would be changing its fare by 4, bringing its air-conditioning service to Rs 4 above normal fare as from 26th May.

As you are well aware, another bus company, Rose-Hill Transport is offering a similar service for no extra cost. Why then is the CNT and UBS allowed to operate these services at extra cost to the users ?

If these companies cannot operate these services at normal costs, then should not these services be left to open competition to those companies, which can offer such services at the same price as actual fares ?

In addition we are making an urgent appeal that the Authority reviews the fares being currently applied to public transport users from Chamarel. As you are well aware public transport users from and to Chamarel pay twice for one route. One payment is made till Baie-du-Cap and another one from Baie-du- Cap to Chamarel. This is done travelling in the same bus on the same route. This is unique in the transport sector. As you are aware, actual fare cost Rs 43 in total.

Jayen CHELLUM