Fares Under Scrutiny in Brazzaville
Taxi rides that used to cost 700 F now frequently reach 1 000 F on Brazzaville streets. The secretary for economic affairs within the Federation of Congolese Transport Professionals, Ngatsé Itoua Mbola, says the gap between the legal tariff and daily practice has become untenable.
During a press briefing, he reminded transporters that the State’s approved fare grid remains in force. “Congo is a country of law, and no operator is above the 1994 decree,” he insisted, urging all drivers and conductors to align with the official ceiling.
A 1994 Decree Still Binding
Arrêté n°689 of 1994 caps an urban taxi journey at 700 F and a bus trip at 150 F. The text has never been revoked, and transport unions argue that any unilateral increase violates its spirit as well as customers’ purchasing power.
Passengers often discover the legal price only when disputes erupt at curbside. Union leaders distributed printed reminders to parking managers and queue marshals so that the fare scale can be displayed inside vehicles and near boarding zones.
Joint Union Call for Discipline
The Confederation of Congolese Workers (Cstc) has joined forces with the Fesyptc to raise awareness. Their joint communiqué warns that checks will intensify on routes linking Bacongo, Moungali and Talangaï, three busy districts where overcharging has repeatedly been reported.
The message targets not only drivers but also cash collectors and owners who set daily revenue targets. “We support legal business only. Trickeries must stop,” declared Ngatsé Itoua Mbola while handing out the flyers at Total market terminal.
Field Visits to Hot-Spot Terminals
Union teams fanned out across the capital, starting at the bustling Total market in Bacongo, moving to Mazala in Moungali, and ending at Jardin stop in Talangaï. At each stage they spoke with park chiefs about queue organisation and fare display.
Commuters welcomed the initiative. “If prices are clear we can plan better,” said Mireille, a market vendor who commutes daily. Drivers, meanwhile, raised concerns about fuel costs but acknowledged the need for uniform guidance to avoid conflicts with passengers.
Pointe-Noire Faces the Same Challenge
Similar complaints surface in the economic capital, Pointe-Noire, where some taxi rides shoot past 1 000 F during peak hours. Union delegates plan comparable outreach sessions at Loandjili and Tié-Tié stations in the coming days to maintain consistency nationwide.
Local driver associations say congestion and longer detours inflate operating expenses. Yet the unions argue that government relief, introduced since 2020, offsets several of those burdens and should translate into stable consumer prices.
Government Incentives Cushion Operators
To ease industry costs, the State waived the public-transport permit fee, halved the business licence (patente) and scrapped the annual road tax for taxis and buses in 2020 and 2023. These measures were designed to counterbalance fuel price adjustments.
Union spokespeople stress that the benefits flow primarily to vehicle owners. “The driver does not pocket those savings directly, yet riders feel the surcharge,” Ngatsé Itoua Mbola observed, urging owners to pass on some relief to crews and passengers.
Wages Headed for Negotiation
Beyond fares, salaries remain a pressing matter. The Fesyptc wants clear benchmarks tied to daily receipts so that drivers can earn reliably without resorting to illicit surcharges. Talks with employer federations are scheduled once all promised State incentives are fully applied.
Union leaders hint at pushing for higher base pay or a reduction in the revenue quota that drivers must surrender each evening. They believe such moves will lessen the temptation to inflate fares clandestinely.
Voices from the Steering Wheel
Pierre, a taxi driver for eight years, told our newsroom that a transparent wage system would help him respect the 700 F fare. “I want to avoid arguments, but I also need to cover fuel and maintenance,” he said while queuing for customers at Mazala.
Commuters like student Déborah agree. “We plan our daily allowance around those 700 F. Any surprise increase means skipping lunch,” she noted, illustrating how fare stability links directly to household budgets in urban Congo.
Next Steps Toward Fare Stability
The unions intend to monitor compliance through spot checks and passenger feedback channels. A hotline number printed on the flyers allows commuters to report overcharging instantly. Repeat offenders could face administrative sanctions under the transport code.
For now, Ngatsé Itoua Mbola urges dialogue rather than punishment. “We believe in persuasion first. Our goal is a calm, transparent market that benefits drivers, owners and the travelling public alike,” he concluded, signalling continued outreach in both Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.