Commercial motorcyclists, commonly known as boda bodas and rickshaw drivers in sections of Juba have expressed fears over the rising fuel prices. Majority of the drivers who spoke to the City Review said the rising costs, which also pushed them to occasionally increase their charges, had seen some customers prefer to cover distances on foot rather than use their services.

On Monday, October 21, 2024, the cost of a litre of petrol varied in different fuel stations across Juba, ranging from SSP4, 000 to SSP5, 200.

The variance, and the increasing costs, have sent shockwaves and left motorists wondering, as the number of customers, hitherto preferring their services, opting to trek or use alternative means, a move, they say, has cost them the much-needed revenues.

John Latio, a Boda Boda rider revealed to this writer that the recent increase in fuel prices has affected his business. Even after struggling to buy three litres of fuel each day, which at times costs him SSP15,600, he spends longer hours waiting for a customer.

“I buy three litres of fuel each day. Unfortunately, I ca wait for up to three hours before I get a customer. The motorbike needs servicing, and this has now become very costly these days. I have to change engine oil, buy spare parts and also adjust pressure on the tyres, all these are expenses, which all depend on the money I make from the customers,” Latio says, adding:

“You may get four or five customers a day, and make about SSP20,000 from them. So, if you add all these occasional expenses, it won’t really cover much. But if you are lucky enough, the number may increase. It is basically a hand to mouth job.”

Another boda boda rider, Angelo Majur, shared the views, picking up the same script of low return on investment from the service.

“It is very challenging because if we increase the price per pick, the customer will not afford to pay the distance of the trip. It is more of a balancing act. We are facing many challenges that sometimes leaves you wondering what to do.”

John Soro, a rickshaw driver, plying routes in Juba, also weighed in: “The price per a litre has increased from 4,000SSP to 5,200SSP in some petrol stations. And in some it is different. We use the old prices because you cannot convince your customer if you increase the price. You will not expect the customer to just understand immediately and agree.”

Zachariah Mahmoud, a fuel attendant at Mangalawi Petrol Station in the city, said that the increase in the fuel price is due to exchange rate.

“We just increase according to the exchange rate; the dollar rate. If it comes down, we reduce the prices. And when dollar goes up, we can raise the price in correspondence to the rate,” Mahmoud stated.

Notably, the prices of fuel have a corresponding impact on the cost of other basic commodities, and ultimately on the cost of living.

High fuel prices can lead to inflation as transportation and logistics costs increase, this reducing household purchasing power.

Fuel prices affect the cost of transportation, which can impact the livelihoods of the population. For example, in Juba, residents have been forced to walk as motorists increase fares, in a bid to save on costs.

“It is very challenging because if we increase the price per pick, the customer will not afford to pay the distance of the trip. It is more of a balancing act. We are facing many challenges that sometimes leaves you wondering what to do,” Angelo Majur, a boda boda rider.