CFM in Maputo: Rail Fare Collection System Generates Confusion and Dissatisfaction Among Passengers

The implementation of the CFM railcar on the route between Matola and Maputo has divided the opinions of users of this service. The route, which combines the bus from Matola to Km15 (Daniel Station) with the railcar to the Central Station in the city center, should have a fixed total cost of 70 meticais.

However, in practice, passengers have faced inconsistencies in the fare collection system. This Monday morning, for example, a source told the newspaper that they traveled from Matola to CFM (Mozambique Railways), where they took a bus towards Praça dos Combatentes. Despite the incomplete journey, they were only charged 70 MTN, the amount corresponding to a full trip. When questioned about the incident, the crew remained silent, a gesture interpreted as an acknowledgment of the error.

Transportation system experts suggest the problem lies in the operation of the payment application. They explain that the software was developed to follow a specific validation sequence – first on the bus, then on the railcar, and finally back on the bus. When this order is not followed, passengers themselves are harmed, potentially paying more than they should (and experiencing future problems) or, more commonly, being overcharged without receiving the integration discount.

This technical glitch is having direct consequences. Frustrated with the unpredictable costs, some users are now opting to return to the Metro Bus service, which, in contrast to the CFM system, is considered more intelligent and reliable in its operation and fare collection.

The interviewed source illustrated the impact on the passenger's wallet: "My monthly budget for transportation from Matola to Maputo city was estimated at 3000 MTN. With these discrepancies in the system, that forecast no longer corresponds to reality." The situation thus exposes not only a one-off operational failure, but a planning problem that affects citizens' confidence and the cost of their daily commutes.

The news report attempted to obtain an official clarification from the Mozambique Railways (CFM), but without success so far. The question remains: how long will users have to deal with a payment system that, instead of facilitating, complicates their journeys?