Africa-Press – Namibia. Commuters will not have to pay more from tomorrow after the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (NABTA) decided to postpone a 15% increase scheduled for 1 November.
NABTA secretary general Pendapala Nakathingo issued a statement on Sunday saying that taxi and bus fares remain the same, for now. He said the decision was taken during the association’s national conference held in Windhoek last week.
“Our request for bus and taxi fares increment is still awaiting government’s formal announcement. We will inform the public immediately after government makes a pronouncement on the matter,” said Nakathingo. He said that postponement does not, in any way, mean that NABTA is not aware that bus and taxi owners are suffering.
“While fighting for the betterment of the commuter services industry, and as a recognised association, we have to act responsibly to avoid unnecessary chaos in the country. We therefore expect that taxi and bus drivers would cooperate by not charging passengers more than the normal fares until we get a favourable response from Government, hopefully very soon.”
He urged commuters to keep the industry going, even in these difficult times, by paying the normal taxi fares of N$12, instead of normalising the excuse of “ondina po ashike N$10” (I only have N$10) while carrying plastic bags full of food and drinks.
“Passengers must start respecting bus and taxi services. They are essential services and must be paid for fully just like paying for any other services,” said Nakathingo.
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