by Loubna Flah
by Loubna Flah
Morocco World News
Casablanca, Oct 21, 2012
As the Eid draws near, the prices of transport tickets are hiking supersonically. Upset customers voice their dissatisfaction over the lack of market regulations.
As many Moroccan seize this unique opportunity to commune with their families, transport companies break sales records.
The traffic from major cities to remote villages remains highly congested increasing the occurrence of road accidents.
Interviewed by the Moroccan daily Le Soir, Abdelali El Khalfi , president of the Moroccan Joint National Union for Travelers transport deplores that “ticket prices soared suddenly few days before the Eid.
Dispensed from any type of scrutiny or accountability, transport lobbies do not miss the opportunity to burden customers with exorbitant prices.’
The lack of competition, coupled with panic buying, account for this inordinate profiteering spearheaded by all transport companies, including those who have the largest share of the market.
Upset customer’s report that fares from Casablanca to Zagora has been jacked up from 140 dirhams to 500 dirhams.
To their dismay, customers realized that the tickets for some congested lines soared by 300%, leaving them with no other option in the absence of real competition in the transport sector.
Transport companies justify this steep rise in ticket pricing to the supply of additional buses in order to meet the abrupt hike in demand.
Likewise, big taxis that link major cities to neighboring villages seized the opportunity to make exorbitant profits from this occasional high demand.
Customers ascribe this mayhem to the total absence of public scrutiny. In the absence of discrete regulations to organize access to the transport market, customers’ complaints seem to fall in deaf ears.
In the midst of a chaotic market, transport companies seem to have the final say leaving the crowds of occasional travelers and commuters with no other option than to surrender to skyrocketing prices. All that matters for them is to reach home safely to celebrate the Eid with their loved ones.
