Nabta feels heat on fare hikes
Nabta feels heat on fare hikes

Nabta feels heat on fare hikes

A consultation meeting at Ondangwa yesterday did not pan out quite like Nabta had planned it.
Ileni Nandjato
The Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) has come under fire from bus and taxi drivers and owners, who say they are suffering, while the association twiddles its thumbs.

Drivers and owners were also infuriated by Nabta calling for a meeting at Ondangwa yesterday, saying they expected the association to take the lead when it comes to discussing fare hikes.

They were left angry yesterday, after being told that Nabta only wanted to hear their suggestions on the increments, ahead of a conference that will take place in Windhoek next week.

Nabta secretary-general Pendapala Nakathingo said the association decided to hike the fares, after realising it has been a while since the last adjustment in 2012, which was followed by minor changes in 2014.

Nakathingo said Nabta was reviewing the fare hikes, but decided not to do so without consulting its members.

It will hold a press conference in Windhoek next Wednesday.

“Next week we are having a national conference on taxis and bus fare hikes taking place at Ramatex in Windhoek and that is why we decided to come to you and hear your views before we make any adjustments. We have seen that the cost of living and fuel price have been increasing, but the taxi fares remain the same,” Nakathingo said.

Nakathingo told drivers and operators that Nabta is the only association mandated by the transport ministry to administer taxi and bus fare hikes.

He said they decided to host the consultation meeting in Ondangwa, because “it's the centre of all destinations”.

Those in attendance were not happy with Nakathingo, saying they were expecting him to tell them Nabta's position and views on the increments before asking for their views.

“All those years you have been quiet while we are suffering alone, but since you heard there is another organisation suggesting taxi fare increments in Windhoek you decided to call us, while pretending to care for us? First you must tell us why you called us before you ask for our views,” fumed an angry meeting participant.

Joseph Kapolo said it is only in Namibia where commuters pay cents per km for transportation, but Nabta is just quiet about this.

“Imagine from Ondangwa to Walvis Bay there is 840km, but commuters are only paying N$240 and Nabta is happy about that. We also want the transport sector to be beneficial. When fuel is being increased it's done without negotiation, but as the transportation sector, we need to be at the mercy of our customers,” Kapolo stressed.

Owners and drivers said when they take their complaints to Nabta, they are not taken seriously.

“The majority of transport permit owners do not have buses or taxis and they are renting them out to those with buses and taxis and you are just there quiet. Why is it easy for people outside the transport sector to acquire those transport permits, but it is difficult for bus and taxis owners?” an owner asked.

Bus owner Fillep Lukas of Kapya Liner suggested a N$5 increment within towns, N$10 for short distances and N$50 for long distances.

Meeting participants told Nakathingo they want the Windhoek's conference to deal with their complaints lodged with Nabta over many years, and not just with fare hikes.

ILENI NANDJATO

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Namibian Sun 2024-03-28

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Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 212.55/OZ UP +1.00% | Copper US$ 3.97/lb DOWN -0.0038 | Zinc US$ 2 439.40/T DOWN -0.7% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 87.21/BBP UP +0.95% | Platinum US$ 897.74/OZ UP +0.32%