In Addis Ababa city, it is common to see drivers and conductors arguing and even escalating into fights with passengers due to transport tariff increases.
In particular, the transport sector is being severely disrupted following frequent retail price adjustments for fuel products, which were necessitated by global fuel supply chain disruptions triggered by the outbreak of the war in the Middle East.
Although this adjustment was implemented starting from March 16, 2026, it is known that no official tariff adjustment has been made following the fuel retail price increase announced by the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, effective from May 1, 2026.
However, residents of the city traveling in various areas are seen arguing to protect their rights with taxi drivers who claim to have increased prices due to the second round of fuel price hikes during their morning and evening commute hours, as well as their daily activities.
Upon hearing this, the Addis Ababa City Transport Bureau announced that drivers and owners who arbitrarily increase prices without any official tariff adjustment will be held accountable.
Accordingly, there has been no decision passed by the Bureau to authorize a transport tariff adjustment, and it has been stated that any price increase made on any transport route without the Bureau's recognition is illegal.
Furthermore, although it was noted that the previous tariff adjustment took into account potential future fuel price increases, it does not seem to have gained the approval of the drivers.
Additionally, while the Bureau is conducting necessary studies based on the current situation, it has urged that the existing tariff must remain in effect until the study is completed and an official directive is issued.
The Bureau has stated that it will strengthen its control operations against entities that illegally increase tariffs and harass passengers, and warnings have been issued that necessary measures will be taken not only against the drivers involved in this legal violation but also against transport associations and owners.
However, a Gebeya Media reporter, while moving around different parts of the city, was able to observe that drivers in various areas are still clashing with elderly people, as well as youths demanding that the law be upheld, over claims that transport tariffs have been increased following the second round of fuel price hikes after the Middle East war.
Nevertheless, passengers have been repeatedly called upon to call the Bureau’s toll-free line, 9417, to report when they encounter drivers demanding extra payment beyond the legal tariff; however, it is difficult to say that the control process has resolved the inconvenience, the disputes, or protected the rights of the passengers.
Therefore, there is a need to strengthen the coordination mechanism so that nearby traffic police or Bureau inspectors can arrive at the scene quickly when a report is made and take educational measures against drivers engaged in legal violations.
Furthermore, it is believed that if the control moves beyond focusing only on drivers and includes transport associations and owners, it would make the control work more effective. Since associations have a collective responsibility to ensure their member drivers follow legal procedures and maintain ethical oversight, it is believed that initiating administrative penalties against the associations themselves, commensurate with the violations committed by their drivers, would make the enforcement work effective.
