Africa-Press – Namibia. MERCY KARUUOMBE and EINO VATILENI
MINIBUS drivers are satisfied with the recent taxi fare increase, saying the old fare was no longer enough for fuel.
MERCY KARUUOMBE and EINO VATILENI
MINIBUS drivers are satisfied with the recent taxi fare increase, saying the old fare was no longer enough for fuel.
The Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) secretary general, Pendapala Nakathingo, on Monday announced a minibuses taxi fare to N$13.
At a press briefing at Siyanda taxi rank in the Katutura area in Windhoek on Monday, Nakathingo said all minibuses carrying up to 16 passengers should charge N$13 per passenger per trip, until further notice.
“Due to economic hardship, Nabta and the members operating minibuses (Quantum buses) between various routes agreed to charge passengers a standard taxi fare rate of N$ 13 per trip,” he said.
Nakathingo said the taxi fare increase was approved last year, but minibuses have been transporting customers for N$10 and overloading.
He asked the passengers to notify their employers of the taxi fare increase from N$10 to N$13 so they can adjust their transport allowance.
He urged the public not to use taxis that do not bear municipal numbers to discourage illegal taxis in Windhoek.
He also urged the bus drivers to stop employing bus loaders, saying some of them are stealing from passengers.
“We want to give employment to our youth, but we must give it in a legal manner,” he said.
Minibus drivers The Namibian spoke to supported the new taxi fare increase, as they said fuel prices have gone up and N$10 was no longer enough to top up on fuel.
One of the minibus taxi drivers said it is better that the taxi fare has increased because two customers back then would pay N$20 in total, and it still was not enough for a litre of fuel.
A passenger said she does not have a problem paying the new fare, but wished they could get a salary increment to be able to keep up with the new taxi fare.
“We know that the fuel prices have gone up, but the salary we get is too little and the fuel prices are really a concern,” she said.
Ministry of Works and Transport spokesperson Julius Ngweda said the taxi fare is N$13 for both small taxis and 16 seaters.
The Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) secretary general, Pendapala Nakathingo, on Monday announced a minibuses taxi fare to N$13.
At a press briefing at Siyanda taxi rank in the Katutura area in Windhoek on Monday, Nakathingo said all minibuses carrying up to 16 passengers should charge N$13 per passenger per trip, until further notice.
“Due to economic hardship, Nabta and the members operating minibuses (Quantum buses) between various routes agreed to charge passengers a standard taxi fare rate of N$ 13 per trip,” he said.
Nakathingo said the taxi fare increase was approved last year, but minibuses have been transporting customers for N$10 and overloading.
He asked the passengers to notify their employers of the taxi fare increase from N$10 to N$13 so they can adjust their transport allowance.
He urged the public not to use taxis that do not bear municipal numbers to discourage illegal taxis in Windhoek.
He also urged the bus drivers to stop employing bus loaders, saying some of them are stealing from passengers.
“We want to give employment to our youth, but we must give it in a legal manner,” he said.
Minibus drivers The Namibian spoke to supported the new taxi fare increase, as they said fuel prices have gone up and N$10 was no longer enough to top up on fuel.
One of the minibus taxi drivers said it is better that the taxi fare has increased because two customers back then would pay N$20 in total, and it still was not enough for a litre of fuel.
A passenger said she does not have a problem paying the new fare, but wished they could get a salary increment to be able to keep up with the new taxi fare.
“We know that the fuel prices have gone up, but the salary we get is too little and the fuel prices are really a concern,” she said.
Ministry of Works and Transport spokesperson Julius Ngweda said the taxi fare is N$13 for both small taxis and 16 seaters.
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