Matatu operators within Meru Town took advantage of the end of the teachers’ strike to make an extra coin by increasing fares to various destinations as headed back to school.
A spot-check by the media in at the two main stages within Meru Town revealed that Matatus were charging normal fares in the morning but suddenly doubled fares towards midday after students thronged the stages seeking the public transport to the respective schools.
However fares to Nairobi remained constant with matatus charging the normal sh.600/= with those travelling within Meru County being charged double the usual fare.
A few students lamented over the fare hike saying they had been given the exact amount they used to reach their schools.
Travellers destined to Nkubu parted with sh. 200/= up from the normal sh.100/= whereas those to Embu paid as much as those to Nairobi.
“The hiking of fares by matatus is not a new thing when students are reporting back to school and so students must know what time to report before the prices went up,” said an operator sought anonymity.
The operator urged parents to be giving emergency money as schools opened because fares always changed with the increased public transport demand.
They are however forced to pay the double fare for fear of getting to school late since some claimed were going far.
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