Semi-collective passenger transport fares in the Maputo Metropolitan Area will rise by five meticais from 7 November, following an agreement between the government and transport operators, the Mozambican Road Transporters Federation (FEMATRO) has announced.

According to a statement from the organisation, cited by Lusa, the decision follows several rounds of negotiations with the government. A new fare schedule is expected to be published shortly.

The adjustment applies exclusively to the Maputo Metropolitan Area, where the current minimum fare stands at 15 meticais per journey. The increase would bring that figure to 20 meticais, though final prices will vary by route and are yet to be officially published by the transport associations.

Pressure on fares intensified after fuel prices rose sharply in May, when diesel prices increased by 45.5% and petrol by 12.1%.

To prevent an immediate spike in transport costs, the government extended temporary subsidies to operators between June and August. However, operators have reported persistent delays in the disbursement of those compensation payments and growing difficulty in covering operating costs.

In September, FEMATRO had proposed an increase of 20 meticais, arguing that existing fares were no longer sufficient to cover the costs of running services.

More recently, the government indicated it may discontinue the subsidies, acknowledging that it would be difficult to sustain indefinitely the support measures put in place to offset the fuel price increases.