The nation’s columnists came out strongly against the Transport Ministry’s decision to raise metro ticket prices. Although the ministry has repeatedly announced that these price hikes were in the offing, and had previously announced the planned pricing scheme based on distance traveled, Ahram Gate’s Ahmed El Berry says that commuters were not given a proper chance to brace themselves for the “surprise” move. Al Shorouk’s Emad El Din Hussein also points to flawed communication from the ministry, particularly when it comes to explaining the metro’s financial situation and proving to the populace that it is not in the red due to poor management. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Khalil is fretting that this incident will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, writing in El Watan that the government’s pace at implementing reforms is too fast for citizens to keep up.

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