When The Prices of Waka Fine Buses Go Down, Our Fares Will Go Down
By Jensen Brian Abass Cummings
The introduction of the WAKA FINE buses in Sierra Leone marked a significant step towards addressing the challenges in the country’s transportation system, particularly in Freetown. As a major venture, these buses were widely welcomed for their potential to ease the daily struggle of commuters who face overcrowded and unreliable transportation options. By reducing the pressure on the overburdened transport infrastructure, WAKA FINE buses brought some level of relief to the growing number of commuters. However, beneath the surface of this celebrated achievement lies a more complex issue concerning the ownership, pricing structure, and the impact on overall transportation fares, especially in a context where economic fluctuations—such as fuel price reductions—should logically lead to fare decreases.
The Arrival of Waka Fine Buses: A Step Forward with Hidden Complexities
When WAKA FINE buses began operating, there was a broad consensus that it was a step in the right direction for urban transportation. They provided a safer and more reliable alternative for residents, contributing to the reduction of commuter issues to some extent. However, questions arose regarding the ownership and financial arrangements behind the buses. Are they privately owned, or do they operate under the direct control of the government? There have been controversies and speculations about whether these buses were privatized, and concerns were voiced over the amount of money the government or private stakeholders may have paid to procure them. These uncertainties have sparked public debates, although many of these issues tend to come and go in waves, often without long-lasting attention.
This backdrop adds a layer of complexity to the pricing debate, especially as it relates to fuel prices and transportation fares. With the Sierra Leone Petroleum Regulation Commission announcing two fuel price reductions in the first two quarters of 2024—a move that the ruling SLPP government and President Julius Maada Bio’s administration were lauded for—there was an expectation that the benefits of lower fuel costs would be passed on to consumers in the form of reduced transportation fares. This has not happened, which raises important questions about how pricing structures are determined in Sierra Leone’s public and private transportation sectors.
Fuel Price Reductions and The Stagnant Transport Fares
The two fuel price reductions in 2024 were seen as triumphs for the Bio administration, as they were widely praised for helping to ease the economic burden on citizens. In a country where the cost of living is high and wages are often low, any reduction in fuel prices offers the hope of broader relief. In theory, lower fuel prices should translate to reduced operational costs for transport operators, including the WAKA FINE buses and other commercial vehicles. However, commuters have not experienced any corresponding drop in fares, despite the fuel savings.
This lack of price adjustment is particularly frustrating for the public, who are used to seeing fares increase almost immediately whenever fuel prices go up. Normally, price hikes are quick and decisive, driven by the argument that rising fuel costs necessitate higher transportation charges. However, in the case of fuel price reductions, the same urgency is notably absent. This has led to widespread speculation and dissatisfaction among Sierra Leoneans, especially those who rely on public and commercial transport daily.
The Drivers’ Perspective: “When Waka Fine Bus Prices Go Down, Ours Will Too”
Conversations with commercial vehicle drivers reveal a recurring sentiment: “If the WAKA FINE buses do not reduce their prices, why should we?” This statement underscores a critical issue within the transportation ecosystem in Sierra Leone. Commercial drivers appear to view the WAKA FINE buses as a benchmark for their own pricing strategies, indicating a belief that fare reductions should be initiated by these buses, which many assume are controlled by the government. This perception suggests that the pricing of the WAKA FINE buses has a domino effect on the broader transportation market. If these buses, which are perceived to have a lower operating cost due to presumed government backing, do not lower their fares, private operators see no reason to do so either.
The reasons behind this dynamic could be manifold. One possible explanation is that the operational costs of running the WAKA FINE buses, including maintenance, labor, and administration, have not significantly decreased, even with lower fuel prices. Alternatively, there may be institutional or bureaucratic hurdles preventing fare reductions, or perhaps there is a disconnect between policy implementation and the realities on the ground. Whatever the cause, the end result is a stagnant fare system, much to the frustration of the public.
Should Fare Reductions Rest On Waka Fine Buses?
This leads to a fundamental question: Should the price adjustments of commercial vehicles really depend on the WAKA FINE buses? While the latter’s pricing may have a certain influence, commercial operators should ideally respond to fuel price reductions independently, based on their own operational cost savings. If fuel costs are a major driver of fare increases, as they claim, then a reduction in these costs should logically lead to fare decreases, regardless of what WAKA FINE buses charge.
However, the intertwining of private and public transportation pricing reveals a deeper structural issue within Sierra Leone’s transportation system. The lack of a clear and transparent pricing mechanism that adjusts fares in line with fuel costs indicates a gap in policy enforcement and regulatory oversight. While fuel prices may fluctuate, the lack of consistency in fare adjustments leaves commuters bearing the brunt of market inefficiencies.
The Way Forward
The introduction of the WAKA FINE buses was a welcome development in Sierra Leone’s transportation system, but it has also highlighted the complexities of fare regulation and market dynamics. The reluctance of commercial vehicle operators to reduce fares following fuel price reductions, based on the pricing of WAKA FINE buses, underscores a broader issue of accountability and transparency in the transportation sector. Moving forward, it is crucial for government bodies, transport authorities, and private operators to establish clear policies that ensure fare adjustments reflect changes in fuel prices—whether those prices go up or down. Only then can commuters in Sierra Leone truly benefit from economic changes meant to improve their daily lives.
