Golden Arrow Bus Services stated that it is still trying to avoid increasing fares despite mounting pressure from rising diesel prices.
Recent fuel hikes have placed significant strain on the transport sector, with diesel increasing by more than five rand per litre earlier this month.
The increases have already impacted commuters, with taxi operators across the Western Cape implementing fare hikes this week.
Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said the latest fuel increases have had a major financial impact on the company’s operations.
“It’s extremely difficult. These price increases, nobody expected them and they have been unprecedented. We use about 25 million litres of diesel every year, so you can imagine what a significant price increase like this does to us and the costs that we have to cover,” she said.
Dyke-Beyer added that the company is trying to shield commuters from further financial pressure for as long as possible.
“We probably should have increased our fares, but we know what’s happening out there. We understand that our passengers are facing extreme financial pressure, so we are holding out for as long as we can,” she said.
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