Fuel supplies arrived in Burundi this week, ending weeks of queues at gas stations due to shortages and easing the situation.
Power lines were seen cut at checkpoints in the country’s commercial capital, Bujumbura, and drivers were immediately provided with assistance.
Residents said they were happy that transportation costs had decreased after the equipment was repaired.
‘Our customers are not happy with the transportation costs. We are not happy with it either because customers complain but now, we thank God because we get fuel at the price set by the government, we are doing well”, said Petro Bujumbura, a taxi driver at the Muha station in the south of the city.
But there are still concerns that the stock will not be enough to meet demand. Some drivers said they were still looking for gasoline.
Bus drivers say they only get 50 litres of fuel a day, which is not enough to transport passengers from Bujumbura to the country.
That’s why buses have been chosen to go to remote areas to help supply fuel to provinces close to the cities.
For example, passengers travelling northeast from Bujumbura to Muyinga, 196 kilometres away, are forced to pay double the fare because they have to take a bus from Bujumbura to Ngozi, about 130 miles away, and then take a bus again to Muyinga.
However, Interior Minister Martin Niteretse has warned public transport drivers who pay the lowest fare that they could face hefty fines.
