Hiked fares trap travellers in the North
• Bus drivers refuse to back down
In Ondangwa, travellers were expected to cough up N$750 for a trip to Rosh Pinah, while their luggage would cost them extra.
Tuyeimo Haidula - Enzo AmueleOSHAKATI
Those travelling from northern Namibia are being forced to fork out as much as N$700 for a trip to Walvis Bay - in comparison to the usual N$450.
Prices have skyrocketed after the festive season, with many travellers desperate to make their way back to work.
Oshakati’s Okatana Service Station and Aupa Indongo Open Market were both packed to capacity yesterday.
Most travellers were frustrated by the lack of affordable transport, while bus drivers refused to back down on their new prices.
At Okatana, where many residents board public transport to various Namibian destinations, only two buses and a fully-loaded seven-seater came by yesterday.
While police officers could be seen patrolling the area on Sunday evening to prevent chaos, there was no police presence on Monday. Oshana regional police commander, Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, sympathised with travellers, but said the police have no mandate to control transport prices.
Wait it out
Wilhelmina Haiduwa, who works in Walvis Bay, said she has been struggling to get transport for days.
She travelled from Outapi yesterday morning because she could not afford the prices there, she said.
“I travelled from Okahao. They were asking me to pay N$670 and N$690, so I thought maybe Oshakati is better. Here, it is N$600. The normal price to travel to Walvis is N$450.
“I will wait for someone cheaper. The prices are too high for my budget,” she lamented.
Those travelling to Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Oranjemund chased away a bus driver who was charging N$600 to Swakopmund. Only one person boarded the bus, with others only willing to pay N$500.
They said they would instead wait for other buses to come to their rescue.
The driver - who was visibly irritated - left while shouting that he was not forcing anyone to board his bus.
This despite Namibian Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) secretary general Pendapala Nakathingo appealing to long-distance drivers not to overcharge passengers. His call fell on deaf ears.
First day of school looms
Hamunyela Ihula, a grade eight learner at Otjiwanda Secondary School, travelled from Outapi and arrived at Okatana just before 12:00. By 14:00, he still had not gotten transport with his younger brother, aged 11.
The two are traveling to Grootfontein.
Most of the children accompanying their parents were unbothered and continued to play.
School starts tomorrow, and they are hopeful they’ll catch a bus home before then, they said.
Meanwhile, their parents were significantly less care-free.
Luggage is extra
In Ondangwa, Namibian Sun caught up with Tsau/Khaeb Secondary School learners Bonita Shimuningeni and Elikan Paulus, who waited for about three hours for a bus from Oshakati.
Headed to Rosh Pinah, the two were set to only arrive today ahead of school starting tomorrow.
Paulus bemoaned the inflated rates, adding that they used to pay N$600, but that they now have to pay N$750 for a seat and an extra amount for their luggage, which varies depending on how many bags they have.
“The price is quite costly given the fact that school is starting and we still have to buy stationery,” Shimuningeni added.
The learners, who complained about feeling worn out, said they would not have time to prepare for their first day of school, and worried that they might not even make it at all.
Those travelling from northern Namibia are being forced to fork out as much as N$700 for a trip to Walvis Bay - in comparison to the usual N$450.
Prices have skyrocketed after the festive season, with many travellers desperate to make their way back to work.
Oshakati’s Okatana Service Station and Aupa Indongo Open Market were both packed to capacity yesterday.
Most travellers were frustrated by the lack of affordable transport, while bus drivers refused to back down on their new prices.
At Okatana, where many residents board public transport to various Namibian destinations, only two buses and a fully-loaded seven-seater came by yesterday.
While police officers could be seen patrolling the area on Sunday evening to prevent chaos, there was no police presence on Monday. Oshana regional police commander, Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, sympathised with travellers, but said the police have no mandate to control transport prices.
Wait it out
Wilhelmina Haiduwa, who works in Walvis Bay, said she has been struggling to get transport for days.
She travelled from Outapi yesterday morning because she could not afford the prices there, she said.
“I travelled from Okahao. They were asking me to pay N$670 and N$690, so I thought maybe Oshakati is better. Here, it is N$600. The normal price to travel to Walvis is N$450.
“I will wait for someone cheaper. The prices are too high for my budget,” she lamented.
Those travelling to Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Oranjemund chased away a bus driver who was charging N$600 to Swakopmund. Only one person boarded the bus, with others only willing to pay N$500.
They said they would instead wait for other buses to come to their rescue.
The driver - who was visibly irritated - left while shouting that he was not forcing anyone to board his bus.
This despite Namibian Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) secretary general Pendapala Nakathingo appealing to long-distance drivers not to overcharge passengers. His call fell on deaf ears.
First day of school looms
Hamunyela Ihula, a grade eight learner at Otjiwanda Secondary School, travelled from Outapi and arrived at Okatana just before 12:00. By 14:00, he still had not gotten transport with his younger brother, aged 11.
The two are traveling to Grootfontein.
Most of the children accompanying their parents were unbothered and continued to play.
School starts tomorrow, and they are hopeful they’ll catch a bus home before then, they said.
Meanwhile, their parents were significantly less care-free.
Luggage is extra
In Ondangwa, Namibian Sun caught up with Tsau/Khaeb Secondary School learners Bonita Shimuningeni and Elikan Paulus, who waited for about three hours for a bus from Oshakati.
Headed to Rosh Pinah, the two were set to only arrive today ahead of school starting tomorrow.
Paulus bemoaned the inflated rates, adding that they used to pay N$600, but that they now have to pay N$750 for a seat and an extra amount for their luggage, which varies depending on how many bags they have.
“The price is quite costly given the fact that school is starting and we still have to buy stationery,” Shimuningeni added.
The learners, who complained about feeling worn out, said they would not have time to prepare for their first day of school, and worried that they might not even make it at all.
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