Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibie Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) on Wednesday announced that public transport fees will increase by 9,2% as of 1 December.
This was announced by Nabta national secretary general Pendapala Nakathingo. The increase comes after the government rejected Nabta’s request to increase bus and taxi fares to Covid-19 prices, which constituted a 15% increase, and instead approved an increase of 9,2%.
“This means taxis are now charging N$13 per single trip from one taxi rank to another, and double price from a taxi rank to non-taxi ranks or up to residentials,” Nakathingo said.
He said buses will increase fees according to distances per route. “Nabta will issue price lists for both taxis and buses with immediate effect. “All buses and taxis are required to have such prices to avoid fighting with passengers,” he said. Nakathingo said prices will be distributed at police stations countrywide.
In a press release issued by the Ministry of Works and Transport, the chairperson of the Road Transportation Board of Namibia (RTBN), Browny Mutrifa, said the ministry allowed an increase of not more than 9,2 % in light of the recent fuel increase announced by the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Mutrifa said the RTBN has received complaints of unauthorised price increases by some taxi operators. “Appropriate legal steps will be taken against operators who may have violated the provision of the applicable laws,” he said.
“We also want all bus and taxi operators to implement hygiene measures among commuters to reduce the spread of Covid-19,” Mutrifa said.
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