The Mozambican Federation of Road Transport Associations (Fematro) confirmed that it agreed to a fare adjustment of five meticals (equivalent to 0.07 euros) for semi-collective passenger transport in the Maputo metropolitan area. This agreement was reached even after Fematro had presented an initial proposal four times higher, of 20 meticals (0.28 euros).
During a press conference, Paulo Muthisse, the organization's president, stated that the final value negotiated with the Government was below the transporters' expectations. However, he emphasized that the consensus was the result of several rounds of negotiation.
The new fares are scheduled to take effect on November 7. Muthisse expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, stating that the five meticals did not fully address the transporters' concerns, given that the original proposal was for 20 meticals.
The head of Fematro justified accepting the lower amount by explaining that the agreement took into account the financial capacity of passengers, who rely daily on these transport services. He stressed that the analysis was not limited to company profit but also to the situation of the Mozambican population.
This understanding was established in negotiations between the Federation and the Metropolitan Transport Agency (AMT), which acted as the Government's representative in the process. The fare adjustment occurs months after significant increases in fuel prices, which forced transporters to request a review of fares to cover rising operational costs.
In May, diesel prices rose by 45.5% and gasoline by 12.1%. The Government attributed this increase to international market dynamics and supply difficulties linked to the Middle East conflict. Initially, to avoid an immediate increase, the executive implemented a temporary compensation mechanism for transporters, which was active between June and August while the Government awaited improvements in global energy markets.
Subsequently, the Government spokesperson, Inocêncio Impissa, admitted that the State could not indefinitely sustain subsidies to operators. Muthisse criticized the way the compensation mechanism was being applied, harming operators, although he recognized the importance of state support. He argued that transporters need to ensure the sustainable continuity of passenger transport service.
The Fematro president clarified that the agreement applies exclusively to the Maputo metropolitan region, where the previous minimum fare was 15 meticals (0.21 euros) per trip. In other provinces, negotiations will be conducted by local associations in coordination with the respective provincial governments. Furthermore, the Federation plans to monitor the implementation of the new fares at high-traffic points starting November 7, aiming to oversee the service and prevent route shortening.
