Expensive air, bus transport questioned in Sudan Parliament

Domestic flight tickets have risen by more than 10 per cent in Sudan. The recent economic measures have caused disorder in the transportation sector in eastern Sudan, as bus companies have raised the ticket prices.

A flight from El Geneina in West Darfur to Khartoum now costs SDG1,835 ($278), a 13 percent increase following the government's decision to lift fuel subsidies. Journalist Aladuldin Babikir told Radio Dabanga that the price was raised before the measures were announced on Thursday.

Acting on the complaints by the public about transportation, the Sudanese Parliament's Transport Committee this week summoned the Chamber of Air Transportation to question them about the rise of prices of internal flights.

The deputy chairman of the Chamber, Adil Mufti, recognised the increase of prices and service charges in the domestic airports. “The price of fuel at domestic airports is much higher than Khartoum airport, as the price in Khartoum is SDG28 ($4.25) while it is SDG55 ($8.35) in Nyala.”

Bus price chaos

In El Geneina, a bus ticket price to Khartoum has risen to 850 Sudanese pounds ($129). Babikir reported that all other tickets for public buses and vehicles have also gone up in price.

Bus ticket prices from El Geneina to various towns in Sudan were raised with an average 39 percent.

In anticipation of higher transport tariffs issued by the government, bus companies in Red Sea in eastern Sudan have raised their prices. The increase ranges from 50 percent to 100 percent for travels from neighbouring villages and towns of Port Sudan, according to a resident.

“This has sparked anger and discontent among the inhabitants of the state,” he added.