Bloemfontein, 08 February 2021 at 11h00: Interstate Bus Lines (IBL) released a statement that whereas the company had postponed its 01 July 2020 annual tariff increase in an attempt to ease financial strain on its passengers, the company has announced that it is no longer able to further avoid an increase and it will now implement its tariff increase effective 01 March 2021.
The intended tariff increase comes nearly two years after the previous increase of 7.4% which was implemented on 01 August 2019. In terms of the intended tariff increase, all multi journey coupons and cash tickets will increase by an average of 6% on the current price. The company initially proposed a 9% increase but the commuter representative council, also known as the JRMC, after further consultations with the Department reduced it to a 6% increase. The conditions of the Interstate Bus Lines contract with the Department of Police Roads and Transport like all other bus companies in the whole country, provide for an annual tariff increase to offset the ever increasing operational costs.
The entire bus sector has suffered severe losses and this has seen many operators retrench employees and close businesses. Despite challenges faced by bus operators and the economic climate, Interstate Bus Lines always strives to improve its service to the passengers, to this end the company has acquired two tipper trucks and a TLB to assist the communities in repairing roads in its operational area. The company will also continue with its bus replacement plan to continue improving its fleet.
Interstate Bus Lines commits to supplying additional information by working closely with the media and the public. Please direct any information or questions that you might have to IBL’s Stakeholder Relations Manager, Vuyo Ondala on 051-4087016, vuyo.ondala@interstate.co.za, ibl@interstate.co.za, or WhatsApp line 083 2977 989 & SMS via 30606.
