The chairperson of the Jonglei Chamber of Commerce, Majok Jok Reng said the bus fare from Juba to Bor has gone up since Wednesday, citing high fuel prices and poor road conditions.
Jok told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the rise in the fare from 2,000 to 3, 500 South Sudanese Pounds is due to high fuel prices in the black market and poor Juba-Bor road that increases costs incurred by drivers.
Jok urged the road users to remain patient, saying the prices will normalize once government provides fuel at reasonable prices.
Several travelers told Radio Tamazuj that they blame the government for the price hikes, saying the state and national governments should renovate the road and subsidize fuel prices for bus owners.
Chol Kech, the Secretary General for Chamber of Commerce, said the move will pose a huge toll on the Bor residents.
“Since we resorted to water transport, the local population will be victimized because business people will increase the prices in order to compensate for loss, loading and uploading costs,” Kech said.
Kech further said despite the price hikes, river transport is risky, citing an example where traders lost goods worth over $200,000 USD in three separate boat accidents in mid-September.