NABTA calls for toll gates
16 June 2021 | Transport
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
The Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (NABTA) has called for the introduction of toll gates to level the playing field among long-distance tour operators.
Its president, Vespa Munda, said seven-seater and sedan vehicles do not pay the requisite fees buses do, placing NABTA at a disadvantage.
“Government should put in certain criteria that everyone should share, [like] toll gates. The Road Fund Administration [RFA] should change some of these things to make some people pay what they are supposed to pay,” he said.
“Sedan vehicles don’t pay log book fees but they are making money. The RFA is also losing revenue from long-distance buses,” Munda added.
Planned demonstration
The association will in the near future also plan a demonstration to air their complaints to government.
“We must have a peaceful drive to show that we are not being assisted. We are paying off buses; some were confiscated by the bank, it’s a problem,” he said.
“Buses are sitting idle because of the seven-seater vehicles and sedans transporting people for more than 1 000 kilometres.”
According to Munda, the situation has worsened so much that long-distance buses no longer carry passengers between Windhoek and the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
“No single bus is transporting people from the coast to Windhoek because of seven-seater vehicles,” he said.
Meanwhile, the RFA earlier this year said it would be possible to place toll gates on certain roads.
RFA CEO Ali Ipinge said a study was commissioned during 2020 to explore the viability of maintenance tolls in Namibia. He noted that preliminary results have indicated the strong economic feasibility of tolling certain sections of roads in Namibia, which will be explored this year.
WINDHOEK
The Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (NABTA) has called for the introduction of toll gates to level the playing field among long-distance tour operators.
Its president, Vespa Munda, said seven-seater and sedan vehicles do not pay the requisite fees buses do, placing NABTA at a disadvantage.
“Government should put in certain criteria that everyone should share, [like] toll gates. The Road Fund Administration [RFA] should change some of these things to make some people pay what they are supposed to pay,” he said.
“Sedan vehicles don’t pay log book fees but they are making money. The RFA is also losing revenue from long-distance buses,” Munda added.
Planned demonstration
The association will in the near future also plan a demonstration to air their complaints to government.
“We must have a peaceful drive to show that we are not being assisted. We are paying off buses; some were confiscated by the bank, it’s a problem,” he said.
“Buses are sitting idle because of the seven-seater vehicles and sedans transporting people for more than 1 000 kilometres.”
According to Munda, the situation has worsened so much that long-distance buses no longer carry passengers between Windhoek and the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
“No single bus is transporting people from the coast to Windhoek because of seven-seater vehicles,” he said.
Meanwhile, the RFA earlier this year said it would be possible to place toll gates on certain roads.
RFA CEO Ali Ipinge said a study was commissioned during 2020 to explore the viability of maintenance tolls in Namibia. He noted that preliminary results have indicated the strong economic feasibility of tolling certain sections of roads in Namibia, which will be explored this year.
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