A week-long survey carried out on various routes in Dar es Salaam has revealed that commuter bus conductors are hiking bus fare over and above the official rates.

Some bus touts are demanding up to 1,000/- per head per trip for longer routes like Mwenge-Mbagala.

The official city bus fare announced by Sumatra, Surface and Marine Transportation Authority, averages around 300/-.

A section of Dar commuters has blamed Sumatra for what they regard as unjustified fare fluctuations.

The survey, which covered all major routes, further revealed that most operators had illegally hiked bus fares to 300/- for short routes from 250/-.

Some daladala crews now demand between 500/- and 1000/- for a single trip from Mwenge to Mbagala, especially at peak hours in the evenings.

Another route where passengers find every evening and rainy day hard to afford commuter bus transport is Kariakoo-Kimara, where charges are now shooting up to 800/- per person.

Jacob Majaliwa of Tegeta has complained of unpredictable bus fare ranging from 800/- to 1,000/- for travelling between Mwenge and Tegeta at peak hours.

``Most of the passengers have no alternative. They need the service but have no other option,`` said Majaliwa.

Gongo la Mboto area resident Juma Bakari has criticized Sumatra for ``embracing too much politics`` while regulating public transport services in the city.

He says that Sumatra has lost control over dishonest bus operators.

``We wake up every morning and find new but unofficial bus fare, yet Sumatra is too quiet,`` he said.

Joyce Mbizi, another commuter in Kinondoni, challenged Sumatra to deliver to the expectations of the public.

She cited the defunct Dar es Salaam Region Transport Licensing Authority (DRTLA) under the leadership of David Mwaibula as a shinning example of impressive performance.

Sumatra replaced the DRTLA following the establishment of national watchdogs for overseeing operations in various sectors of the country�s economy.

However, bus operators have firmly defended their move, saying the decision to hike bus fare is inevitable.

Bus conductor Abdalah Mohamed, whose bus plies between Mwenge and Tegeta, said skyrocketing fuel prices were the major factor that had forced them to increase the bus fare.

``We also need to make profit. But we are not charging all that much, as 1000/- as some people claim. We only add 50/- on top of the normal fare,`` he said.

Commuter bus driver Michael Moses, whose mini-bus plies the Mbagala- Mwenge route, says that not all drivers take advantage of the increased fuel prices.

``I have never increased the fare from the ordinary charge of 350/-. We sometimes even reduce it to 300/- depending on the time of the day,`` he said.

Moses said they had always observed Sumatra�s regulations.

``However, I have witnessed other bus operators on this route increasing bus fare, particularly during the evenings, when a lot of people need to go back home.``

Asked to comment about the situation, Sumatra director general Israel Serakisa said bus operators who charged beyond the agreed rates were violating rules governing public transport.

He described the move as gross violation of public transport rules.

``Owners of commuter buses should not use the rise in oil prices as a single factor that justifies the illegal hiking of bus fares. Procedures must be followed in raising bus charges,`` he said.

Sekirasa said the law stipulated that bus operators should submit proposals for raising bus charges to Sumatra for the watchdog to seek comments from stakeholders.

Thereafter, he said, constructive input gathering and recommendations put forward during public hearings are scrutinized before a final decision is made.

When reached for comments, Infrastructure Development deputy minister Hezekiah Chibulunje said he was new to the ministry and could therefore not give any comments.

``As I`m talking to you, my predecessor is handing over the office to me. I cannot comment on the matter right now,`` said the deputy minister, briefly.

However, The Guardian had earlier talked to his predecessor, Dr Milton Mahanga, who said the hike was both illegitimate and lacked grounds.

During the recent cabinet shake up, Mahanga was transferred to the Labour, Employment and Youth Development ministry.

He charged Sumatra, which oversees public transport services, to monitor the illegal hiking of bus fare to prevent abuse of the free market regime by dishonest operators.

``The government recognizes the free market, but we need to ensure the concept of free market is not abused by transporters,`` he said.