Egyptian governorates announce new transportation fares after fuel price surge

CAIRO – 18 October 2024: Many governorates across Egypt have so far announced adjusted transportation fares for buses, microbuses and taxis in response to the latest hikes in gasoline and diesel prices announced on Friday.

Governors conducted inspections at transportation hubs across various districts to ensure adherence to designated routes and the newly established fares.

Qalyubia governor inspects a fuel station after recent fuel price hikes - Qalyubia Governorate

Governor Ibrahim Saber of Cairo emphasized that the revised fares in the governorate have been carefully determined to serve the interests of both citizens and drivers, considering factors such as route distances and trip frequencies.

Collaboration has been established with neighboring governorates directly linked to Cairo through shared routes to maintain consistency in fares on both ends, aiming to prevent any exploitation of citizens.

The Cairo governor revealed that banners and posters displaying the updated fare prices have been prominently placed at the entrances of all parking facilities for clear visibility to the public.

Saber highlighted the synchronization between neighborhood leaders, service administrations, parking facilities, and the general traffic department to enhance monitoring efforts in various parking areas and squares, ensuring all drivers comply with the new fare structure.

He underscored that any infractions by drivers regarding the revised fares will result in appropriate legal measures being taken.

The Cairo governor advised citizens against making payments other than those specified and officially announced by the governorate, urging individuals to report any violations by drivers to the parking lot management.

Cairo governor inspects a public bus to check on adherence to new fares - Cairo Governorate

ADJUSTED FARES

For instance, in Cairo, fares for standard buses have risen by LE 1 to a total of LE 9, while fares for air-conditioned buses have increased by LE 2 to reach LE 17.

Minibus fares have also seen adjustments, with ordinary routes rising by LE 2 to LE 14 and air-conditioned routes now priced at LE 17.

Specific fares for microbuses have been outlined, and tariffs for white taxis in the governorates have been raised as well.

In Cairo, taxi meters will now initiate at LE 10.5 instead of the previous LE 9.5 for the first kilometer, with subsequent kilometers costing LE 2 each.

The initial waiting time charge for the first hour has been set at LE 23, with an additional hourly rate of LE 11.50.

Minor variations in public transportation and taxi fares can be observed across different governorates.

FUEL PRICE HIKE

Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum announced an increase in diesel and gasoline prices by up to LE 2 for the third and final time in 2024, effective from Friday.

The adjustments, issued by the Fuel Automatic Pricing Committee (FAPC), see 95-octane gasoline rise to LE 17 from LE 15, 92-octane gasoline rise to LE 15.25 from LE 13.75, 80-octane gasoline rise to LE 13.75 from LE 12.25, and diesel prices rise to LE 13.50 from LE 11.50.

This decision is part of an initiative to “ensure the availability of petroleum products, regulate market performance according to established pricing mechanisms, and reduce the gap between selling prices of petroleum products and their high production and import costs,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry highlighted that these actions aim to bridge the pricing gap and adjust the costs of specified petroleum products, with the committee scheduling its next session for six months from now instead of typically meeting each quarter.

This marks the third fuel price increase this year, following adjustments in March and July.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly previously stated that the state plans to gradually raise petroleum product prices to phase out fuel subsidies by the end of 2025, thus easing the burden on the state budget.