By Elezo Libanda
Katima Mulilo, Aug. 23 — The secretary general of the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association Pendapala Nakathingo has announced a taxi fare increase from Tuesday 23 August 2022.
Nakathingo announced this on Monday at a press briefing at Siyanda taxi rank in Katutura, Windhoek.
However, there are mixed feelings from the taxi owners and commuters, as normally the Ministry of Works and Transport announces fare increases, not NABTA.
The fare increase was however welcomed by some drivers though they have already been illegally charging their customers the new fare that was announced by NABTA yesterday.
Commuters were not happy with the fare increase as they feel they are already overburdened economically and the new increase will cripple them further.
“We have been paying the fare that was announced yesterday but we still had an opportunity to negotiate and pay N$10 instead of N$13, now that it’s official they will be no room for negotiations,” said a commuter who preferred to remain anonymous.
Another commuter only identified as Simasiku said he understands that the price of fuel is the main reason for fare increases, but taxi owners must understand fuel prices are affecting almost everyone and everything.
He added that he had three children who commute 20 kilometres to school every day.
“With the new fares coming into effect today, I won’t afford to send my children to school, NABTA must have waited as fuel prices are slowly decreasing as we expect a price reduction of both diesel and petrol in early September,” he said.
Simasiku added that the price of crude oil has been declining and before the end of the year, fuel might be affordable again.
Some taxi owners have described the fare increase as a slap in the face as they have been waiting for an increase from N$13 they were already charging to a new fare of N$15.
“We feel NABTA has let us down, however, the struggle continues,” said one driver.
Numerous calls to the Ministry of Works and Transport for comments proved futile.
