GOVERNMENT has given bus operators in Lusaka a go-ahead to increase bus fares in Lusaka by K300 on the longest routes within Lusaka.

Meanwhile, the Lusaka bus operators committee chairperson Ishmael Khankara has commended Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Christopher Yaluma for resolving the impasse surrounding the bus fare increment for Lusaka amicably.

Road Transport and Safety Agency acting director Martin Mbangu confirmed during a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the bus fares in Lusaka would only go up by K300 and not K600.

Mr Mbangu said Mr Yaluma and some bus operators concluded the consultative process to hike the fares not exceeding K300.

He, however, said the increment was not mandatory and that bus operators who do not feel like increasing were free not to do so.

"Since this is a free market, bus operators who wish to increase bus fares can do so but not beyond K300 for long routes in Lusaka and for operators that want to maintain old prices they are free to do so," Mr Mbangu said.

Mr Mbangu noted that during the consultative meeting, the minister urged bus operators to justify the fares with tangible improvement in the quality of services for which commuters should be paying new fares.