Algeria raises transportation fare

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal Saturday gave consent to raise collective transportation and taxis fare on the base of car mileage, said sources at the commerce ministry.

The decision was made in a cabinet meeting in presence of transportation, interior and commerce ministers, according to the same sources.

This came following a request from trade union which insisted on raising transportation fare.

Sources say the meeting evoked the situation of buses which have operated for more than 10 years. According to security reports, they constitute a main factor of traffic accidents.

The ministers criticized taxi drivers for not respecting the law and clients’ right. Transportation ministry said bus owners could not afford to renew their vehicles because of the transportation fare fixed by the government.

The decision will come into force starting from Tuesday. The cabinet considers it as a “compromise” to meet the trade union’s demand and take in consideration people’s purchasing power.

Collective transportation fare is fixed at 20 DZ for 10 km, 30 DZ for 20 km and 35 DZ for 3 km. People who take taxi will pay 20 DZ per kilometer and 10 DZ if they carry luggage weighing more than 15 kg.

As for collective taxis, the ministry fixed fare at 3 DZ per 1 kilometer and 5 DZ for inter municipalities and provinces transportation.

The ministry said it will announce soon new transportation fare for distances more than 30 km between provinces.