Fuel shock hits Mwanza riders

MWANZA: MOTORCYCLE riders (bodaboda) in Mwanza Region said the surge in fuel prices has severely disrupted their passenger transport services, reduced daily income and made it increasingly difficult to sustain their operations.

They have urged the government to consider lowering fuel levies to reduce cost pressures and enable them to maintain affordable transport services for commuters.

Speaking in separate interviews to the ‘Daily News’ in Mwanza City, they described how the surge in fuel prices has eroded their profit margins and reduced customer numbers. Chairman of the Mwanza Regional Motorcycle Riders’ Association, Mr Mohamedi Idd, said the situation has led to financial losses for many riders.

“While fares are negotiated between riders and passengers, there is no formal pricing structure, making it difficult to adjust charges in line with rising costs,” Mr Idd said yesterday.

The spot survey showed that previously, a full tank cost about 30,000/-, and one could earn between 20,000/- and 25,000/- per day. Now, it takes around 50,000/- to fill a tank.

“Yet earnings have dropped significantly,” he said.

According to the chairman, passengers are used to paying between 1,000/- and 2,000/- per trip. When fares increase to between 2,000/- and 3,000/- , “many refuse to pay.” Vedastus Ogallo, a rider operating in Mwanza City, said the increase in fuel prices has sharply reduced income levels.

“You can take a passenger on a route that used to cost 1,000/-, but even after fuel prices went up, many customers still insist on paying the old fare,” he said.

In some cases, Mr Ogallo said, riders earn only enough to cover a basic meal of about 1,500/-, with nothing left to support their families, as they now spend long hours at stands waiting for customers with minimal returns. “The situation is very tough,” he said, noting that fuel prices have risen from about 2,900/- to 4,000/- per litre.

Mr Ogallo said fuel worth 5,000/-, which previously generated about 15,000/- in revenue, now brings in less than 10,000/-, cutting profit margins by nearly half. He also noted a sharp decline in daily customers, from 20–30 previously to about 6–7. One rider, Paulo Mseti described fuel costs as a major challenge for operators in earning their incomes.

“When we try to adjust fares from 1,000/- to 1,500/- per trip, customers resist because they are used to the old prices,” he said.

Mr Mseti said he earns about 25,000/- a day, spend 15,000/- on fuel, and remain with 10,000/- gross profit, which is not enough to sustain a family.

Another rider, Mr Beatus Magembe, said the situation continues to worsen, such that most of the riders go back home sometimes with empty hands.

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“Even 4,000/- is no longer enough to buy sufficient fuel. It feels like we are working mainly for fuel stations’ owners,” he said.

He added that his daily earnings have dropped from between 20,000/- and 30,000/- to much lower levels, making it difficult to meet basic needs. Amir Hassan also cited declining incomes, attributing the problem to passengers’ reluctance to accept higher fares. However, some residents dispute the riders’ claims.

A Mwanza resident Ramadhan Shemembo argued that some operators exaggerate losses, noting that one litre of fuel can cover about 45 kilometres, enabling multiple trips within the city.

“They can carry up to nine passengers at 2,000/- each and earn around 18,000/-. Some even charge 7,000/- for trips to Igoma town and still have fuel left for the return journey,” he claimed.

Another resident, Agatta Hamisi, said motorcycles consume relatively little fuel compared to other modes of transport.

“They can still set reasonable fares because motorcycles are more fuel-efficient than cars or ‘bajajis’ [rickshaws],” he said, urging riders not to use fuel price increases as justification for excessive charges.