Assessing the Effects of Fuel Price Fluctuations on the Sustainability of Public Transport Operators in Lusaka, Zambia

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of fuel price fluctuations on the sustainability of public transport operators in Lusaka. The study examined the impact of fuel price fluctuations on operational costs, revenue streams, and their influence on the sustainable growth of public transport services. The study worked with a sample size of 75 public transport operators, and the collected data were analyzed in Megastat software. The findings revealed that fuel price fluctuations caused an increase in operational costs, with 42.7% of the respondents reporting that fuel accounted for 20 – 40% of operational costs, while 29.3% indicated 41–60%. A statistically significant association between route type and fuel-related operating costs was confirmed by the chi-square analysis (X2 = 15.03, df = 3, p = 0.0018). Additionally, the study found that 43% reported a moderately high effect of fuel changes on revenue and 37% reported a significantly high effect. Regression analysis found a type of business statistically significant effect on revenue (β = 0.3331, p = .0172). The study further found that 36% of respondents reported a significant impact of fuel fluctuations on business strategy and 21.3% a very significant impact. The chi-square analysis shows a highly significant relationship between fuel price fluctuations and sustainable business growth (χ² = 62.20, df = 9, p < 0.001). The study concludes that fuel prices have negative effects on the sustainable growth of public transport operators in Lusaka and recommends that relevant institutions strengthen fuel stabilization mechanisms to promote fuel efficiency technologies.